Mo. firefighters rescue 5 trapped in apartment fire

Kansas City firefighters rescued five people from a third-floor apartment via ground ladders after heavy fire cut off the stairwell inside the building

December 30, 2025 02:28 PM

By Caroline Zimmerman
The Kansas City Star

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five people were rescued from an apartment fire in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District Monday evening. Fourteen residents were displaced.

Firefighters with the Kansas City Fire Department were dispatched to the 1700 block of Kansas Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to department spokesperson Riley Nolan.

Heavy fire on the second and third floors of the apartment left five people trapped in the building, Riley said. A second alarm response was ordered and crews used multiple hand lines to extinguish the fire at 7:46 p.m.

All five people were rescued from the third floor of the building, Nolan said.

Two people were transported to area hospitals in stable condition, Nolan said. The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire.

Trending

FR1 Affiliate images - 2026-01-16T132901.823.jpg

Volunteer Fire Service

Rural Mo. volunteer fire departments face rising call volumes, staffing challenges

Rural crews in Buchanan County are juggling growing emergency demand, fewer available responders and limited funding

January 18, 2026 08:00 AM

FR1 Affiliate images - 2026-01-16T143904.533.jpg

Search and Rescue

Mont. search and rescue team celebrates anniversary

Search and Rescue of Mineral County operates under the sheriff’s office to provide rapid, coordinated rescues for residents and outdoor recreation visitors

January 18, 2026 12:00 PM

Fire-based EMS

Cleveland to add mental health clinicians to 911 response under Tanisha’s Law

After a yearlong delay and a compromise with Mayor Justin Bibb, City Council is set to vote on creating a “care response” that dispatches clinicians with EMS to certain mental health emergencies

January 19, 2026 08:00 AM