After fires two nights in a row at KC apartment complex, KCFD calls in feds, police
For an investigation into fires that occurred two nights in a row at an apartment complex on the city’s south side, the Kansas City Fire Department has asked for assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Fire officials also called in the Kansas City Police Department’s bomb and arson unit for help in the investigation of the blazes at Willow Creek Apartments, Assistant Chief Jimmy Walker, a fire department spokesman, said Thursday.
“They’re going to be an extra set of hands, tools and testing equipment for us to investigate properly,” Walker said.
Investigators remained Thursday morning at the apartment complex. Drone video captured by a Star photographer showed the roof missing from the charred building.
Firefighters responded to the first blaze about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at 119 W. 99th Terrace, where all residents were evacuated.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and have since been released from a hospital.
Then about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters were called again to the apartment complex and found flames mostly on the third floor. Fire also reached into the attic space. No residents reported injuries.
Investigators think defective kitchen equipment at a second-floor unit caused the fire Tuesday, which resulted in smoke damage to the building.
The cause of the Wednesday fire remains under investigation.
“It’s 24 hours between the two fires, so I’m not quick to say that it was left over from last night,” Walker said Wednesday.
Star reporter Kaitlyn Schwers contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
