Crime

Two people killed as ‘suspicious’ fire engulfs apartments in Kansas City, North

Two people died early Monday in what officials are calling a “suspicious” fire at the Vivion Oaks apartments in Kansas City, North, a fire department spokesman said.

The two-alarm fire was reported shortly before 4:30 a.m. at a three-story building in the apartment complex at 5056 North Oak Trafficway, said Jason Spreitzer, a spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department.

Arriving firefighters, stationed about a minute up the street from the complex, reported a large amount of fire on the front of the building, Spreitzer said.

“Tragically as we were going through head counts, we confirmed two fatalities,” Spreitzer said.

Fire officials called in the Kansas City Police Department bomb and arson unit early on because the fire appeared to be suspicious. The unit will be handling the investigation into the fire.

“It’s very early in the investigation and the cause has yet to be determined,” said Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department.

Fire investigators with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were helping police investigate the fire, said John Ham, a spokesman for the ATF’s Kansas City Field Division.

Anyone with information about the deadly fire is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

A fire at the Vivion Oaks apartments, 5056 North Oak Trafficway, in Kansas City, North, left two people dead. A Kansas City Police Department bomb and arson police unit is investigating.
A fire at the Vivion Oaks apartments, 5056 North Oak Trafficway, in Kansas City, North, left two people dead. A Kansas City Police Department bomb and arson police unit is investigating. Kansas City Fire Department

This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 7:17 AM.

Andrea Klick
The Kansas City Star
Andrea Klick was a breaking news reporter for The Kansas City Star. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Southern California and grew up near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
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
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER