Firefighters responded to the same damaged home twice in one morning after flames broke out again just hours after an earlier structure fire, officials said.
The Kansas City Fire Department said crews were called back to the area of 85th Street and Highland Avenue shortly before 5:10 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, after a second fire started at the rear of the already-damaged house.
Officials said a power line had fallen and began arcing, which sparked the second fire. Firefighters remained at the scene as they worked to extinguish the flames and waited for Evergy crews to handle the downed electrical line.
Second Fire Started After Power Line Fell
According to fire officials, the second fire began when the downed power line started arcing near the rear of the structure.
The home had already been damaged by an earlier fire just a few hours before, making the second response more dangerous for crews.
As of about 5:30 a.m., firefighters were still working at the scene. Utility crews were also requested to make the area safe because of the electrical hazard.
First Fire Reported Hours Earlier
The first fire was reported shortly after 1:55 a.m. at the same single-story home, located near the Center School District offices.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house. Crews quickly began working to control the fire, but officials said the condition of the building created safety concerns.
The home had prior damage from another earlier fire, leaving the structure unstable. Because of that, firefighters decided not to enter the building and instead fought the fire from outside.
Crews Used Defensive Firefighting Strategy
Fire officials said the house was structurally compromised before Sunday morning’s fires.
Due to that risk, crews used a defensive approach, attacking the flames with multiple hose lines from outside the home. This strategy is often used when entering a building could put firefighters at serious risk because of collapse danger or unsafe conditions.
The goal was to control the fire while keeping crews out of the most dangerous parts of the structure.
One Firefighter Injured During Response
One firefighter suffered an ankle injury during the initial response.
Officials said the injured firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The extent of the injury was not immediately released, but the department confirmed the injury happened during the first fire call.
No other injuries were reported in the initial update.
Dangerous Buildings Officials Called
After the first fire, City Planning and Dangerous Buildings officials were called to the scene.
Their role is expected to include evaluating the condition of the structure and determining whether additional safety steps are needed. Because the home had already been damaged before Sunday’s fires, officials may need to review whether the building poses a continuing danger.
Cause Remains Under Investigation
The cause of the original fire remains under investigation.
Officials have not said whether anyone was inside the home when the first fire started. No details were immediately released about possible occupants or the extent of damage to neighboring properties.
Kansas City firefighters battled fires at the same home twice within about four hours Sunday morning. The second fire was sparked after a downed power line began arcing near the rear of the already-damaged structure.
One firefighter was injured during the initial response, and the cause of the first fire remains under investigation.