Independence firefighters found a man lying just inside the doorway of a four-plex when they responded to a fire shortly after 12:30 p.m. today.
Emergency workers transported the man, in his late 20s, to the Medical Center of Independence. Officials said he was unconscious and breathing on his own, but later went into cardiac arrest. He also suffered second-degree burns.
No other details about his condition were disclosed.
Fire officials said he was the only person in the residence, located in the 1000 block of Quail Creek Drive. Firefighters responded after neighbors called 911.
The fire stretched the department's resources because firefighters responded to two other calls at nearly the same time. One was at Highland Manor Mobile Home Park, 17311 E. U.S. 40. The other involved an electrical problem at 19001 E. 48th St. No injuries were reported at either of those sites.
