http://www.fourstateshomepage.com/st...4kaT1mXHKMF8zw
CHETOPA, KS--
For the past seven years the Asylum Haunted House has welcomed thousands of patrons, but a fire is forcing the local attraction to close.
"You put this many years of blood, sweat, and tears in a project, and it goes down, you know, down the drain," says owner Chris McGowan.
Sunday afternoon around 4:30, workers were grilling in the back yard of the Asylum, when strong winds caused the flames to spread uncontrollably. Fire departments throughout Labette County responded, and spent the next four hours putting out the blaze. The majority of the fire wasn't under control until 8:15 that evening.
"It's horrifying. It's horrifying for everybody involved, and the city. Um it was a struggle getting us on the map, and getting us out there. It took eight years to get where we are now," says staff member Lynnsey Uhls.
Residents say, the loss of the haunted house leaves limited entertainment options for children in the area.
"A small town like this, you know it just isn't much to do. And it's 25, 30 miles to a town of any size so, yeah, yeah i feel sorry for the kids," says Chetopa resident Ray Mercer.
Staff say the haunted house is about 95 percent destroyed, however they are still hopeful about the future.
"We have a support system all the way from Oklahoma City, to St. Louis right now. Um, and we are rallying. We are ready to open up our next haunt, bigger and better uh than what this is, but it is, it is kind of a shock to us," says McGowan.
Staff are accepting donations to rebuild the haunted house, and they are confident that their fans will continue to support them.
"We're fighters, we're family. We'll continue, we love this. Um, we don't know where we'll be. We're looking at surrounding areas, but hopefully we'll be back up and running this year for everybody," says Uhls.
To send donations to the Asylum Haunted House, click on http://www.sekfearfactory.com/
CHETOPA, KS--
For the past seven years the Asylum Haunted House has welcomed thousands of patrons, but a fire is forcing the local attraction to close.
"You put this many years of blood, sweat, and tears in a project, and it goes down, you know, down the drain," says owner Chris McGowan.
Sunday afternoon around 4:30, workers were grilling in the back yard of the Asylum, when strong winds caused the flames to spread uncontrollably. Fire departments throughout Labette County responded, and spent the next four hours putting out the blaze. The majority of the fire wasn't under control until 8:15 that evening.
"It's horrifying. It's horrifying for everybody involved, and the city. Um it was a struggle getting us on the map, and getting us out there. It took eight years to get where we are now," says staff member Lynnsey Uhls.
Residents say, the loss of the haunted house leaves limited entertainment options for children in the area.
"A small town like this, you know it just isn't much to do. And it's 25, 30 miles to a town of any size so, yeah, yeah i feel sorry for the kids," says Chetopa resident Ray Mercer.
Staff say the haunted house is about 95 percent destroyed, however they are still hopeful about the future.
"We have a support system all the way from Oklahoma City, to St. Louis right now. Um, and we are rallying. We are ready to open up our next haunt, bigger and better uh than what this is, but it is, it is kind of a shock to us," says McGowan.
Staff are accepting donations to rebuild the haunted house, and they are confident that their fans will continue to support them.
"We're fighters, we're family. We'll continue, we love this. Um, we don't know where we'll be. We're looking at surrounding areas, but hopefully we'll be back up and running this year for everybody," says Uhls.
To send donations to the Asylum Haunted House, click on http://www.sekfearfactory.com/
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