An elderly woman was pulled from a burning home and a Kansas City firefighter was hurt as crews knocked down a house fire Saturday morning in the 100 block of West 85th Street.
The woman was taken to a local hospital in serious condition, and the firefighter was transported with a minor injury. A dog made it out safely, and crews had the flames largely under control in about 15 minutes.
According to KSHB, the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department was dispatched around 10:10 a.m. Firefighters made an interior rescue after finding an occupant trapped inside the home. Officials told the outlet the fire was under control by roughly 10:25 a.m., and City Planning and Dangerous Buildings was called in to evaluate the stability of the structure.
The rescue unfolds against a backdrop of a rough fire season in the metro. In June, KCTV5 reported that crews were sent back to an 85th Street property twice in a single morning after a second ignition, and a firefighter was injured during that response. That earlier episode, and the decision at the time to fight the second fire defensively because the home was already damaged, underscored how risky it can be for crews when they are working in compromised buildings.
Investigation and next steps
According to the City of Kansas City, an annual report for the period ending April 30, 2022 was approved at a Council meeting on 8/25/2022.
KCFD is still working to determine what sparked Saturday's blaze and will release more details as they become available, according to KSHB. Inspectors were asked to assess whether the house is safe to occupy. The department has not yet said if anyone else has been displaced. According to the City of Kansas City, "The current list of dangerous buildings is available online, updated approximately weekly." According to the City of Kansas City, "Dangerous Buildings usually have more than one of the following violations: Cracked or shifted foundations;; Holes in the roof or walls, allowing the entry of ..."
Fire safety for older residents
Older adults face higher risks in home fires, and federal guidance continues to stress the basics: working smoke alarms and a simple, well-practiced escape plan. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing alarms regularly, talking through escape routes with family or neighbors, and using assistive alarms for people with hearing or mobility challenges. Neighbors and caregivers who can help check alarms and make sure exits stay clear add an important extra layer of protection for anyone who might need help getting out quickly.
