Man found dead after Overland Park apartment fire identified; investigation ongoing
Fire officials have identified a man killed in a fire at an Overland Park apartment complex Monday that also displaced several residents.
Firefighters with the Overland Park Fire Department responded to the blaze shortly after 5 a.m. at The Ainsley Apartments in the 8700 block of 106th Terrace, just north of Interstate 435 and Antioch Road, department media manager Jason Rhodes said Monday morning.
Initial crews to arrive at the scene reported smoke and fire coming from a two-story apartment building with people evacuating, Rhodes said. There were reports that people were still inside.
While crews worked to extinguish the fire, other firefighters searched the building and located David Eugene Slavens, 55, dead in an apartment unit, Rhodes said. All the other residents were able to evacuate.
The fire was brought under control in around 30 minutes. Based on initial reports, crews were unable to hear working smoke alarms, Rhodes said.
The apartment complex is made up of three sections, with six apartments in each section. Crews were attempting to isolate the electricity to the building so that residents could return to apartments not affected by the fire.
The fire will displace residents in at least six units, Rhodes said. It’s unclear how many people in all are displaced.
On Monday morning, many evacuated residents were scattered across the complex, huddled in stairwells of other buildings, attempting to keep warm, Rhodes said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Rhodes said Monday afternoon.
Fire is second to occur in Overland Park apartments over weekend
The blaze was the second to occur at an apartment complex in Overland Park in the last several days. Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday, crews responded to an apartment fire at the Colonial Gardens Apartments near Broadmoor and West 87th streets, Rhodes said in a news release Feb. 7.
The Colonial Gardens Apartments and The Ainsley Apartments are about four miles apart, according to Google Maps.
Responding crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the two-story apartment building, with evacuations in progress, Rhodes said. A second alarm was called.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, located in the attic of the building, in around 20 minutes, Rhodes said. It took nearly an hour to declare the fire was under control.
No injuries were reported in the incident, Rhodes said. Residents from eight apartments were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting.
This story was originally published February 9, 2026 at 4:25 PM.
