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3 rescued, 1 hospitalized in KC fire; firefighter falls through floor unhurt

Firefighters rescued three people, one of whom was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, while battling an apartment fire Wednesday night in Kansas City’s Independence Plaza neighborhood, according to a fire department spokesman.

Firefighters responded shortly after 10 p.m. to the Olive Park Village apartments in the 800 block of Park Avenue, said Battalion Chief Riley Nolan with the Kansas City Fire Department.

Arriving firefighters reported smoke and fire coming from a two-story apartment, Nolan said. Fire crews initiated an offensive fire attack, advancing multiple hose lines to battle the flames.

Firefighters responded to a fire shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Olive Park Village apartments in the 800 block of Park Avenue, said Battalion Chief Riley Nolan with the Kansas City Fire Department. Fire crews rescued three people from a basement apartment, one of whom was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Firefighters responded to a fire shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Olive Park Village apartments in the 800 block of Park Avenue, said Battalion Chief Riley Nolan with the Kansas City Fire Department. Fire crews rescued three people from a basement apartment, one of whom was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Kansas City Fire Department

A firefighter fell through the first floor into the basement and a mayday was called, Nolan said. The firefighter was able to get out of the building on their own and uninjured.

Fire crews searched the apartment building, but found no one else inside.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Kansas City’s dangerous building division was requested to respond to the scene, Nolan said.

This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 7:30 AM.

Robert A. Cronkleton
The Kansas City Star
Robert A. Cronkleton is a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star, covering crime, courts, transportation, weather and climate. He’s been at The Star for 36 years. His skills include multimedia and data reporting and video and audio editing. Support my work with a digital subscription
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