KCFD rescues 3 children from fire at abandoned building in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three kids were rescued from a fire at an illegal apartment in an abandoned building near downtown Kansas City Friday night, according to the Kansas City Fire Department.
KCFD said the fire was reported on the second floor of an abandoned, two-story commercial building near Truman Road and Park Avenue just before 2 a.m.
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According to crews, the fire had spread to the building and west of the roofline. However, they managed to get it under control quickly from the back of the building.
Through forced entry, KCFD was able to search the building where they found what appeared to be storage doors. After forcing the doors to open, they found an illegal apartment and three unattended kids inside.
“You know, typically on a commercial structure, one, two in the morning, you’re not expecting to find people. You know, businesses are closed,’” Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins with KCFD said.
“They just noticed a whole bunch of doors, and it didn’t sit right. Just with the type of building that it is.”
He said the smoke and carbon monoxide could have made for a very dangerous situation, had they not discovered the three children.
“So, it was the due diligence of the folks on scene last night that, you know, potentially save these children’s lives. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now and it never ceases to amaze you what you’re going to find. So you have to be vigilant and you have to rely on your training and instincts. And that’s exactly what Chief did last night, along with the crews that were with him.”
The three kids — ages 9, 4 and 2 — were treated on the scene and taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide exposure. According to KCFD, all three kids had non-life-threatening injuries and are currently being cared for at the hospital.
KCFD said investigations are underway, and crews are looking for a responsible party and the cause of the fire.
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“This was outstanding work by the men and women on this scene. Their diligence to ensure the entire structure was cleared during this search saved the lives of these three children,” KCFD said.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information.
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