House explosion and fire in south Kansas City injure four
At least four people were injured, two critically, in a house explosion and fire Wednesday evening in south Kansas City.
Four people went to hospitals. Two children were taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital and one person was taken to the University of Kansas Hospital. All the occupants of the house were accounted for, authorities said.
The house in the 9100 block of Tennessee Avenue was fully in flames and in danger of collapse when firefighters arrived about 7 p.m. Witnesses and firefighters reported hearing explosions coming from the house.
Fire Chief Paul Berardi tweeted that the cause of the explosions was undetermined.
Police were called to the scene, as was the bomb and arson squad and the city’s dangerous buildings division.
The house was unsafe for investigators to enter Wednesday night. Police Chief Darryl Forté said that a search warrant was being sought and that the house would be under guard through the night.
Two of the injured people were lying in the driveway when firefighters arrived. Neighbors reportedly helped them escape from the structure.
The fire was declared under control at 7:25 p.m.
Firefighters said the gas to the house shut off automatically.
To reach Matt Campbell, call 816-234-4902 or send email to mcampbell@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published December 30, 1840 at 1:09 PM with the headline "House explosion and fire in south Kansas City injure four."