Searchers locate body in burned south Kansas City home

Searchers early Tuesday afternoon located a body in the basement of a south Kansas City home that burned Sunday night.

Firefighters who found the body at about 12:15 p.m. did not make a positive identification, said Battalion Chief James Garrett, Kansas City Fire Department spokesman. But family members of Susan Herrera, 31, believe she died in the blaze.

The condition of the house complicated search efforts, Garett said earlier Tuesday. Initially, several feet of water settled in the home. Kansas City Public Works crews helped remove that. Firefighters later encountered interior floors that had collapsed upon one another, he said. Workers using a backhoe excavator Monday afternoon helped peel back the rear of the home, allowing firefighters better access.

After that workers propped some areas of the home’s interior with braces, Garrett said, allowing searchers to clear debris with shovels.

Now that the body has been located, the fire department will turn the scene over to the Kansas City police, Garrett added.

Fire Capt. Charlie Cashen, Garrett said, was continuing to undergo treatment for second-degree burns sustained Sunday night and that his spirits were good.

“He’s one of those guys who passionate about his work,” Garrett said.

This story was originally published January 6, 2015 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Searchers locate body in burned south Kansas City home."