The owners of structures damaged in two unrelated fires haven’t responded to requests from the City to demolish or repair them, Great Bend City Administrator Logan Burns told the City Council this week. That’s why the council adopted resolutions calling for public hearings on May 5.

The structures – or what’s left of them – are a mobile home at 201 Walnut St. and a house at 218 Pine St.

The fire at 201 Walnut occurred last June.

“Half of the structure was missing due to the fire and the remaining interior of the mobile home suffered severe smoke and fire damage as a result,” Burns reported. “In January, Matt (Schafer, building official) conducted a follow-up inspection after several failed attempts to contact the owner. The portions of the house with fire damage have now collapsed on itself and there are piles of charred lumber around the exterior of the house and the house remains unsecured from entry.”

Schafer’s report adds that he inspected the house after the fire and again on Jan. 20 “after failed attempts to contact the property owner.”

“The vertical support studs on the exterior walls have been compromised and show significant charring from the fire. The exterior bearing walls are no longer supporting the roof assembly on the east side of the structure. ... The floor assembly suffered extensive damage as there are visible holes in the floor covering, exposing the floor joists. This structure is not secured from entry, creating a hazard to the public or any curious passerby.”

The single-family dwelling at 218 Pine was damaged by fire in February 2025.

“There’s not much left of this one,” Burns said. “The entire roof structure collapsed inside it.”

His report noted there are no longer any doors or windows and the structure is not secure from entry.

Shafer’s report states, "The roof assembly, including the rafters and roof sheathing, is completely burned and collapsed. ... Sections of the vertical support studs are burned completely ...”

Shafer recommended both properties be repaired or demolished, but the process for the City to order this will take months. The first step was taken Monday, March 17, with the adoption of resolutions calling for public hearings on May 5. The resolutions will be published as legal notices in the Great Bend Tribune and the hearings will take place during the regular City Council meeting that starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

At the hearing, any owner, lienholder or occupant can show cause why the property should not be condemned and ordered demolished or repaired. The city can then order the buildings’ demolition.