One dead, 20 displaced following apartment fire in Kansas City’s Northland

A 74-year-old woman was killed and at least 20 residents were displaced following a two-alarm fire on Friday afternoon at the Northland Heights Apartments near Northwest 85th Terrace and Barry Road in Kansas City, North.

Deputy Chief James Walker of the Kansas City Fire Department said the fire started on the first floor and had reached the second floor as fire crews arrived.

Thick smoke and heavy flames poured from the building as firefighters searched the building, where they found the victim inside of a first-floor apartment. The victim, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead a short time later.

Walker said the woman used an oxygen tank and that may have contributed to the fire spreading quickly.

Fire officials responded quickly for a second alarm because of the number of apartment units. The fire was contained to one apartment unit. It took fire crews about 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Walker said they were not immediately able to determine if the apartment unit had a working smoke detector.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. As is customary in a fatal fire, the Kansas City Police Department bomb and arson squad is helping with the investigation, Walker said.

Aside from the victim, Walker said no other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim. Several of her grandchildren arrived at the scene.

This story was originally published October 16, 2020 at 6:29 PM.