KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker says four people died in a two-alarm fire Wednesday morning at the Independence Ridge Apartments.
Crews were called to the apartment complex at 19104 E. 37th Terrace Court around 6 a.m.
Walker said the four deaths were all from the same family; two adults and two children, ages 8 and 3.
KSHB 41 learned the 8-year-old was a second-grader at William Yates Elementary in the Blue Springs School District, according to an email from the district.
Counselors will be made available to students and staff in the coming days. The school also sent parents some tips on how to discuss death with young children.
The Independence Police Department will release the names of the family members killed in the fire.
Walker said the family's apartment unit was in an area of heavy fire, though the fire did not originate in their apartment.
Two firefighters suffered serious burns to their hands, necks and ears. They were transported to an area hospital for treatment. They were released by midday Wednesday.
Walker, in a Wednesday evening news conference, said the fire started in an apartment where a resident left food cooking unattended on a stove.
Hear more from Chief Walker in the video player below.
The resident left the kitchen, heard a smoke detector and used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire.
Flames moved quickly into an attic and firefighters arrived at the building to find flames coming from the second and third floors and through the roof.
There were no firewalls in the attic, Walker said.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Sermon Community Center, 201 N. Dodgion Ave., to assist those displaced by the fire. They estimate more than 30 residents were displaced.
Red Cross officials say they are coordinating with community, government and emergency management officials to determine where and when additional assistance is needed. Anyone seeking assistance can call 1-800-RED-CROSS for help.
JoAnn Woody, executive director of the American Red Cross Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri chapter, spoke about their efforts to help residents.
Hear what she had to say in the video player below.
Among those displaced in the fire is Josiah Piercy. He, his wife and baby son were able to escape the fire.
"Our neighbors were knocking on our doors," Piercy told KSHB 41 News reporter Marlon Martinez. "It was scary."
Listen to Josiah talk about the fire in the video player below.
Multiple units from Independence, KCMO and Central Jackson County Fire were called in to battle the fire. The fire was reported under control as of 7:30 a.m.
Hear more from Chief Walker in the video player below.
HAPPENING: KCFD are fighting a massive apartment fire in Independence.
— Marlon Martinez (@marlonmartv) January 22, 2025
What we know:
•No reported injuries as of now
•6 people have been rescued
We’ll have more details on @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/jKGjaVcZtR
Firefighters rescued six people from the blaze.
The three-story apartment building is expected to be a total loss.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
