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Sheriff Jean Ward: deputies contacted about 29 homes; off‑duty deputy helped evacuate Thorpe family
Summary
Sheriff Jean Ward told commissioners 13 personnel assisted evacuations in southwest Seward County, making contact attempts at about 29 homes; she praised off‑duty deputy Clemente Torres for alerting and evacuating a family minutes before fire overtook their property.
Sheriff Jean Ward told the commission that her office deployed 13 personnel to assist with evacuations and monitoring during the fire. Ward said contact attempts were made at approximately 29 homes in southwest Seward County and that two residences were in immediate danger.
Ward singled out off‑duty deputy Clemente Torres for personally notifying the Thorpe family and ensuring they evacuated, including a handicapped brother and a bedridden grandmother. "Because of his quick thinking and initiative, the family was able to evacuate safely," Ward said, praising Torres's actions as reflecting “the highest standards of our service.”
Ward said deputies were in communication with the fire chief and that evacuees at some points were directed toward shelters. Health and shelter officials later said shelters opened in the evening closed with no occupants, a point county staff said they would address in future planning. No injuries or deaths were reported in Seward County, Ward added.
