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Nov. 19--A three-alarm fire at a 12-unit southeast Kansas City apartment complex early Saturday morning caused $750,000 in damages and forced eight families from their homes, Kansas City Fire Department official said.
A faulty gas fireplace insert caused the blaze. No one was injured.
Four families were able to return to their apartments.
On arrival at 3:30 a.m., crews saw fire shooting through the roof on the north end of the wooden building. Strong wind blew embers and flames toward an adjacent building. Crews sprayed water on that building to keep it from catching fire.
A woman up late watching television reportedly noticed the fire when her cable stopped working. The woman notified her neighbors, all 18 of whom were able to get out. Given the early hour of the fire, Kansas City Battalion Chief Joe Vitale said it was remarkable the fire didn't cause any injuries.
The blaze caused an estimated $500,000 in damages to the structure, and $250,000 to the contents. The American Red Cross was helping families displaced by the fire with food, clothing, supplies and temporary housing.
--James Fussell, [email protected]
