Crews in KCK prevent blaze from spreading to library

KANSAS CITY, Ks. (KCTV) - A large building fire blocked off downtown Kansas City, KS, for several hours early Monday morning.

Several KCK Fire Department units sprayed the building with water near the intersection of 6th Street and Minnesota Avenue. Firefighters and the KCK Police Department blocked off the area for a few blocks. The fire department said they used five master streams and four pumper trucks, utilizing four different hydrants.

Crews responded to the fire at 5:18 a.m. There were no injuries reported, but damage is likely to be significant, as flames could be seen shooting out of the top of the building.

The structure on fire appears to be the abandoned building across the street from the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. The fire department said the building was being remodeled.

Fire investigators have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.

UPDATE:

One of the main focuses for firefighters was making sure the flames did not spread to nearby businesses. They were successful because of a rapid response time, with the fire station being just down the street from where the fire broke out. With it being downtown, surrounding buildings were just feet away.

“I did have a phone call first thing this morning, in a panic that it was the main library on fire,” said Laura Loveless, KCK Library Branch Manager.

The library is okay. There was no damage, just a delayed opening. The branch manager is grateful for the quick response, knowing it could’ve been so much worse.

“It’s shocking,” she said. “It could’ve been catastrophic for us. We’re just thankful they’re so close, that they responded so quickly and that they were able to get it under control.”

She said she is concerned about the possibility of any reignition. Out of caution, Minnesota Avenue will be closed between 6th and 7th Street for the next couple days.

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