KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- Kansas City firefighters are working a 2-alarm fire in the 7500 block of Washington. There have been several reports of injuries.
The fire started at the Kennedy's Bar and Grill, 7428 Washington, but no word yet on what started the blaze. Emergency crews are currently staging in the Walgreen's parking lot nearby. At least five firefighters are hurt with varying levels of severity and crews on scene expect there will be more.
Kansas City Fire Department spokesman says five firefighters were transported from the scene. Early indications say their injuries are all burns. The firefighters made entry onto the first floor with hand lines, battling what appeared to be a second-floor fire. As they were trying to find the stairwell a flashover occurred.
A flashover is when the contents of the structure heat to their ignition point and all combust simultaneously.
Vitale says the firefighters did not become disoriented and were able to find the way out. The incident commander on scene called for an immediate evacuation.
Two of the firefighters are currently in critical condition, two are listed in serious condition.
The fire department is currently battling the flames in a defensive mode, trying to keep it from spreading. Vitale said the black smoke columns indicate there is still a lot of combustion and a lot of flames still inside the structure.
Firefighters believe the fire began in a grease trap. Vitale said they have not been able to battle the flames with foam because it does not work well on three-dimensional fires. The foam has to be able to blanket and smother the objects burning or about to burn. Vitale said when the structure is vertical, foam will run off and not do its job.
The water department is trying to help boos the pressure for firefighters on the scene. They are currently concentrating efforts to the originating structure and prevent the spread.
Witnesses say the fire began to spread into other parts of the building after 11 a.m. Flames have spread to Caf?? Apanaire. Other businesses in the building are Frankly Basic, and The Gown Gallery.
Firefighters say they are also battling the extreme cold. The water gets under their gear and trapped, then becomes health-threatening situation just with the cold.
Republished with permission of KSHB-TV.
