Kansas fire killed 1, destroyed 35 homes across 12,000 acres

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A fire that raged through about 12,000 acres in south-central Kansas over the weekend killed one man and destroyed 35 homes, fire officials said.

The Cottonwood Complex fire also destroyed 92 outbuildings and 110 vehicles after it started Saturday, Reno County officials said.

A man’s body was found in a wooded area on Sunday. Sheriff Darrian Campbell said authorities believe they know the man’s identity but it won’t be released until a forensic center in Johnson County makes a positive identification.

There was no estimate on livestock or pets lost or how many people were treated for fire-related injuries, The Hutchinson News reported.

Hutchison Fire Chief Steve Beer said investigators are trying to determine what sparked the blaze but arson or any suspicious activity has been ruled out.

The Hutchinson Fire Department continued to extinguish trees and hot spots on Tuesday, Beer said.