Kitchen fire killed 4 in KC area apartment. Do you know how to prevent it in your home?
An Independence apartment building erupted into flames Wednesday, Jan. 23, killing a family of four and displacing at least 32 residents. The blaze started with a kitchen fire.
An Indy Ridge apartments resident had left the kitchen while cooking and, hearing the smoke alarm, came back to a grease fire, Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker said Wednesday night. The resident attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before fleeing the unit, leaving their door open.
The fire spread to two floors, as well as the attic and roof of the apartment building, Walker said. The bodies of the four victims, including two girls ages 3 and 8, were found huddling in the bathroom of a neighboring apartment, according to a relative.
Cooking caused 51% of residential fires across the U.S. from 2017 to 2019, according to a FEMA report. Of those fires, careless cooking was the most common factor.
What to if a kitchen fire breaks out
The National Fire Protection Association gave guidance on what to do if you encounter a cooking fire.
If the fire is big and spreading, evacuate and close the door on your way out to help contain the fire. Then call 911.
If the fire is small, you can consider fighting it. Here is advice on how to do so:
Make sure others leave the building before you try to fight a small fire.
Use a fire extinguisher by pulling the pin, aiming at the base of the fire, squeezing the lever slowly and sweeping the nozzle side to side
For a grease fire, try to cover the flames with a lid or pan to snuff them out. Then turn off the heat and leave the cover on until it cools completely.
Do not pour water on a grease fire, it will make the fire bigger.
For an oven fire, turn off the appliance and keep the door closed.
How to prevent fires while cooking
Learn how to avoid a kitchen fire, from the National Fire Protection Association and FEMA.
Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food, and stay in your home when simmering, baking and roasting.
Keep kids and pets away from the stove.
Turn pot handles towards the back of your stove, to prevent spills.
Move flammable items, like cooking mitts and food packaging, away from the stove.
Kansas City Star breaking news reporters contributed to this story.
Do you have questions about safety in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM.
