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Leavenworth Today
By the People, for the People
Firefighter Stops Leavenworth Business Fire While Jogging
Chelan County firefighter Mike Smith extinguished a blaze at a commercial structure with an attached apartment before it could spread.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:41pm
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A firefighter's quick action prevented a small electrical fire from spreading and causing major damage to a local business.Leavenworth TodayA firefighter who was jogging in Leavenworth, Kansas, this morning helped save a local business from going up in smoke. Chelan County Fire District No. 3 Dept. Chief Mike Smith was on a morning run when he spotted a fire in a planter below a window of a commercial structure with an attached apartment unit. Smith called 911 and then used a garden hose to knock down the flames before the fire department arrived, preventing the blaze from spreading further into the building.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the importance of vigilant community members and the quick actions of off-duty first responders in preventing potentially devastating fires. The timely response and firefighting efforts likely saved the business and apartment from significant damage.
The details
After calling 911, Smith grabbed a garden hose and was able to put out the fire in the planter, but it had already extended into the walls of the structure. The on-duty fire engine and battalion chief arrived and spent about 30 minutes fully extinguishing the blaze and ensuring it did not spread further. Damage was minimal, save for the destroyed planter, and the lone occupant of the building was able to remain in both the apartment and the business.
- At around 6:15 a.m. on April 14, 2026, Smith was on a morning jog when he discovered the fire.
- It took firefighters about 30 minutes to completely extinguish the blaze.
The players
Mike Smith
Dept. Chief of Chelan County Fire District No. 3, who was jogging in the area and spotted the fire, called 911, and used a garden hose to knock down the flames before the fire department arrived.
Chelan County Fire District No. 3
The local fire department that responded to the scene and fully extinguished the fire.
What they’re saying
“I actually wasn't on duty yet and was out on a run when I came upon the building and saw a planter out front and below a window was on fire.”
— Mike Smith, Dept. Chief, Chelan County Fire District No. 3
“I grabbed a garden hose and was able to put some water on it and knock it down, but it had extended a little bit into the walls of the structure. Our (Fire District 3) engine and battalion chief on duty responded, got here, and started pulling some of the wall out to get inside and make sure it hadn't extended any further.”
— Mike Smith, Dept. Chief, Chelan County Fire District No. 3
What’s next
The fire department will continue investigating the cause of the electrical fire to determine if any further safety measures are needed at the business.
The takeaway
This incident demonstrates the importance of vigilant community members and the quick actions of off-duty first responders in preventing potentially devastating fires. The firefighter's timely response and firefighting efforts likely saved the local business and apartment from significant damage.
