INDEPENDENCE, Mo. --
A large fire is burning at the Independence Ridge Apartments, 19012 E 37th Terr.
Flames have been seen throughout the building and emergency crews are on the way. Several residents have also been seen standing outside the building.
The fire was reported around 4:43 a.m.
A resident sent in a pair of
Independence Fire Chief Sandy Scheiss said everyone made it out of the building and no injuries have been reported.
Scheiss said fire crews from several other cities provided mutual aid in the fire.
Two roommates who lived in the building said that they were woken up by knocks on the door by emergency crews. The pair said they were able to get out safely and even return to rescue two kittens from the apartment.
The pair also said that they didn't hear a smoke alarm go off in their apartment and said other residents told them they didn't hear any smoke alarms.
According to the roommates, the apartment complex clubhouse was opened up so residents from the burning building can escape the cool morning temperatures and they also said residents from other buildings have opened up their apartments for people to stay in.
Residents and fire officials said there are 24 apartments in the building.
According to fire officials, the fire was confined to one building, but that building is a total loss.
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