KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Warrensburg, Missouri, Fire Department and multiple Johnson County, Missouri, Fire Protection District stations responded to a large commercial structure fire in Warrensburg on Friday.
According to a social media post from the JCFPD, the structure fire was along U.S. Highway 50, and the fire had spread to natural cover along the highways.
"Water is being hauled to the scene," the post said. "Avoid the area and give personnel space to work."
Witness reports stated the fire began at 9:45 a.m. and the nearly 100-year-old building was engulfed in flames "within mere minutes."
Three employees were inside the business at the time of the fire, but JCFPD reports all three exited the building and did not suffer any injuries.
Around 2:30 p.m., JCFPD posted an update that four of their stations were still assigned to the fire identified at 111 NW 121 Road, Wildscapes LLC, a masonry, landscape, fireplace and building supply business.
Additionally, the post said tankers were continuing to shuttle water to the scene from Warrensburg.
By 5:30 p.m., five tankers had been utilized to haul approximately 120,000 gallons of water to the scene, according to JCFPD.
Also at 5:30 p.m., one firefighter was reported to have been transferred to a local hospital for treatment. The firefighter was determined to be in "stable condition" and is "expected to recover."
The Missouri State Fire Marshall and Johnson County Fire Investigation Unit had investigators on the scene working to determine the fire's origin and cause.
“The involved structure contained over 100-year-old oak construction. It did not take much time at all for the entire building to become fully engulfed. The structure is a total loss, and the loss is anticipated to exceed $1 million in damage,” said JCFPD Capt. Joe Jennings.
No cause has been determined yet as the investigation is ongoing.
The following agencies assisted JCFPD in their efforts:
- Evergy
- Johnson County Ambulance District
- Johnson County Fire Protection District #2
- Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
- Johnson County Volunteer Fire Auxiliary
- Missouri State Highway Patrol
- University of Central Missouri Department of Public Safety
- Warrensburg Fire Department
- Warrensburg Police Department
- Warrensburg Public Works
