EMPORIA (KSNT) – One firefighter remains hospitalized after a Sunday morning fire in Emporia.

Battalion Chief Ryan Conley confirmed two firefighters were injured fighting the fire Sunday, one was from Emporia and the other was a volunteer from a neighboring community. Conley could not confirm which firefighter was hospitalized but said the person is in stable condition.

Firefighters battled the blaze for over 10 hours. The three-story building located at 1325 Merchant Street was being renovated and was vacant.

  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (Drone image courtesy Reading Fire Department)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)
  • An early morning fire in an apartment building in Emporia did more than $500,000 damage. (KSNT / Michael K. Dakota)

Conley said staff shortages made fighting the fire more difficult. “Staffing shortages make it a little harder, take a little longer to fight a fire,” Conley said.

Firefighters were called to the property at 4:19 a.m. Sunday morning.

Thirty firefighters were on the scene to fight the blaze. Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking told KSNT the loss should exceed $500,000.