KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- An investigation is underway into an early Tuesday morning fire that destroyed a home near the intersection of 37th St. and Washington Ave.
Neighbors told 41 Action News the couple who owns the house, Shirley and Tilmon Dantzler, have lived there for more than 30 years.
Smoke continued to linger in the air hours after the fire tore through their house. The smell was so strong Tuesday morning around 3:30 that one neighbor thought his own home was at risk.
"We thought our house was on fire at some point," Michael Dickerson said.
Dickerson has known the Dantzler family since he moved to their street in 1988. When he saw flames engulf the house, he immediately feared for his neighbors and anyone else inside.
"I was real concerned because his wife runs a daycare center there, and sometimes family members spend the night there," Dickerson added.
Another neighbor said the Dantzler's had a space heater inside that may have caused the blaze, but the fire department is still investigating.
KCK Asst. Fire Chief John Zimbelman said firefighters had to return to the scene hours after the fire was contained because strong winds rekindled flames.
Family members who were at the scene on Tuesday said Tilmon Dantzler is being treated for smoke inhalation, but Shirley was not injured.
