Explosion Fire Electrocution | Industry Related News - Archive

St. Louis, Missouri vacant building goes up in flames
A vacant building went up in flames and a homeless woman inside died while trying to stay warm.  The building was located at the northwest corner of Parnell Street and St. Louis Avenue.  A kerosene heater was found inside. 

Duplex in Wichita, Kansas damaged by fire
A fire in a duplex full of trash is being labeled an arson.  The duplex located at 4348 Wilma had an estimated $5,000 in damage. 

House fire causes two deaths
A house fire in Mexico, Missouri caused the death of two small children.  Two adults in the home suffered burns.  No further details are available.

Fire at suspected methamphetamine lab
A house in the 4700 block of Kirchoff Lane in Jefferson County, suspected to be a meth lab, caught fire.  Items consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine were found inside the burned out home.  The house was a total loss.  One person was cut while escaping the fire.

Fire in Wichita, Kansas house
A fire broke out in a house in the 1500 block of North Grove.  It is believed that a faulty space heater was the cause.  An estimated $30,000 in damage to the house was reported.  No one was injured.

Second duplex in Wichita, Kansas set on fire
The second set fire to a duplex in a week was reported in Wichita.  The two fires do not seem to be connected.  Only half of the duplex appeared to have been occupied.  The fire caused an estimated $55,000 in damage to the duplex and its contents. 

Nixa, Missouri business destroyed by explosion and fire
A Nixa vehicle customizing business, Safari Off-Road, located on U.S. 160 was destroyed when an explosion sparked a fire.  Fire officials have concluded that the fire was accidentally caused by a heater powered by used motor oil.  Several vehicles were taken from the building after the explosion.  The building itself was considered a total loss.

Garage fire at home daycare causes no injuries
Six children escaped with no injuries when a fire broke out in the home's garage.

Apartment fire in Springfield, Missouri
A fire at the John B. Hughes complex located at 2100 North Clifton Avenue in northwest Springfield is blamed on careless smoking.  An injury was reported when one person was hurt while escaping the apartment fire.  The injured person jumped from a second floor apartment and suffered a broken leg.  Damage was limited to fire damage in the smoker's bedroom and smoke damage in the rest of her first floor apartment.  There was a smoke alarm in the apartment but it was not working.

Bed and Breakfast in St. Genevieve gutted by fire
A fire raged at the Inn St. Gemme Beauvais bed and breakfast housed in a building built in 1848.  No one was injured.  The building was a total loss.  The Inn is located at Jefferson and Main streets.  The fire was tough to control because it had been given multiple roofs and multiple layers of ceiling that concealed the fires between the layers.  An electrical problem is suspected to be the cause of the fire.

Wichita, Kansas woman burned in fire
A 50-year-old woman is in critical condition after being burned by fire while cooking.  The woman was in the kitchen of her home in the 6400 block of East Pepperwood when loose clothing brushed a hot burner and caught fire.  Damage was less than $1,000 to her home.

River Market lofts fire forces evacuation
An eighth floor apartment at the Cold Storage Lofts located at 500 E. Third Street in Kansas City, Missouri caught fire.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.  No injuries were reported.

Building destroyed by fire
A building located at 51st Street and Prospect in Kansas City, Missouri was destroyed by fire.  The cause of the fire is believed to be an electrical problem.  The building housed apartments and a defunct night club. 

Kansas City home burns
A fire at a house in the 4100 block of Flora had flames that were extending up into the attic when firefighters arrived.  No other details were available.

Monett firefighters battle blaze
Firefighters evacuated about 20 families from neighboring home to battle a fire that had fully engulfed the A1 Rental and Storage self-storage facility.  The homes were evacuated due to the heavy smoke and concerns that the flames would spread.  The storage facility had a small amount of hazardous materials, including paint thinner and lacquer, stored there. 

Lawrence, Kansas man saved from fire by passer-by
A man in his late 60s was rescued from a fire by a man driving by who noticed smoke coming from the house.  The man who was rescued has a disability that affects how well he can walk.  He was treated for smoke inhalation.  The fire was determined to be accidental.  An estimated $90,000 in damage was reported.

Lee's Summit, Missouri home suffers fire damage
Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the back of a house in the 1800 block of Southwest Hook Road.  No one was home.  The cause is still under investigation.

Fire at Decatur, Illinois plant kills two
A fire at the Archer Daniels Midland Company in Decatur, Illinois caused the death of two employees.  They apparently died of carbon monoxide poisoning after they were overcome by the gas from a fire in an air handling unit at the corn processing plant.  The plant remained open and was deemed to be safe.

Three men trapped in burning home by security bars
Firefighters, using a gas-powered saw, cut through security bars on the front door of a home at 3004 Belt Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri to rescue three men trapped in a house fire.  The fire started in the basement of the home but spread quickly.  The men were treated for smoke inhalation.  The cause has not been determined.

Icy conditions trigger fire
Ice covered tree branches coming into contact with power lines behind a home in the 2300 block of South Hilton Avenue in Springfield, Missouri, caught fire and set a storage shed on fire.  The shed contained firearm ammunition.  As the fire engulfed the shed, the ammunition began to discharge.  No one was injured.  The shed was completely destroyed.  The fire spread to an adjacent garage. 

Abandoned fishing club destroyed by fire
The old Anglers Club in Belleville, Illinois was destroyed by fire.  The fire is being investigated as arson. 

Old brewery in St. Louis, Missouri damaged by fire
The old Falstaff brewery located on Lemp and Shenandoah in St. Louis, Missouri was a four alarm blaze.  The fire, possibly started by a discarded cigarette, appeared to have started in a doorway.  It then extended into a storage area that contained cork.  One injury was reported due to a firefighter falling on the ice.

Tire store destroyed by fire
A section of 63rd Street in Kansas City, Missouri was shut down due to a fire in a tire store.  No other information is available.

Boy starts fire
A five year old Springfield, Missouri boy woke with warm feet and decided to cool them down with a fan.  He placed the fan under the covers and that is how the fire began.  He tried to put it out with a glass of water before waking his parents.  The fire was contained to the boy's bedroom.  The location of the fire was the John B. Hughes apartments in the 2100 block of North Clifton Avenue.

Fire damages Strafford house
Nine people escaped a fire at 905 W. Old Route 66.  A resident of the house was trying to light a kerosene heater at the rear of the house when fumes from the container ignited.  There was significant damage to the rear of the house.

Fire injures three children in Granite City
A fire at 210 Briarwood critically injured 3 children.  The fire almost totally destroyed the house.  No further information is available.

House catches fire in North Kansas City, Missouri
Everyone got out safely from a fire in a house on Tiffany Springs Road.  It is believed that the fire started in the attic.

Tenants injured in Kansas City, Missouri apartment fire
A fire at the Plaza Apartments, a high-rise apartment complex, located at 7777 Holmes Road was caused by food left on a stove.  The two residents of the apartment were treated for smoke inhalation.  Damage was limited to the one apartment.

Kansas City, Kansas apartment residents displaced by fire
A fire at 1829 N. 76th Drive caused $500,000 in damages and displaced dozens of residents.  The fire is believed to be suspicious.  One person suffered a broken leg as a result of jumping from a balcony to escape the fire.

House fire closes street
A house fire in Wichita, Kansas caused the closing of the southbound lanes of Meridian.  No injuries were reported.

Wichita, Kansas fire damages business
A fire in a shop at Timber Products located at 2286 S. Custer caused an estimated $300,000 in damages. Fireballs were sent skyward as propane tanks burst. The fire started in a shop used for tearing lumber into small pieces. Insulation in the shop caught fire as a welder was working on an outer wall. Employees attempted to put the fire out but it got out of control. A building next to the shop was damaged by debris. The cause of the fire is being reported as an accident.

Fire damages Liberty, Missouri home
A fire in the 1400 block of Gordon Street displaced a family of five. It was reported that the fire started in the garage and then spread to the home's upstairs living area. No cause for the fire was reported. The fire caused an estimated $40,000 in damages to the home and its contents

Two homes in St. Charles County, Missouri damaged by fire
No cause has been determined for a fire that occurred at 1121 Lisa Lane near Cottleville. It is believed the fire started in the garage at or above the ceiling. The estimated damage was set at $200,000 which included two cars that were parked in front of the garage. Firefighters fought the second fire at the corner of Seeburger and Church Roads in northern St. Louis County. This home was a total loss, but no figures were available. Unofficially, it is believed that a space heater in the basement may have started the fire.

Fire in Kansas City, Kansas house
A fire started in the garage of a house at 49th and Nebraska in Kansas City, Kansas. Six people fled the house, none were seriously injured. The cause in under investigation at this time.

Emmaus Mennonite Church destroyed by fire
The fire leveled this historic church located northeast of Whitewater, Kansas. Damage estimates are at over $2.1 million. It may be difficult to ever find a cause due to the destruction caused by the fire. A dog trained to detect accelerants was being used. An investigator said it was possible that one of the nine furnaces that the church had could have malfunctioned.

Wichita, Kansas fire caused by carpet atop vent
A triplex at 428 N. Oliver caught fire when the occupant left a piece of carpet over a floor furnace vent. Sometime during the evening while the occupant was not home, the furnace kicked on and the carpet caught fire. Damage was estimated to be $15,000.

Riley County, Kansas man killed in mobile home fire
The fire appears to have started in the front bedroom of the mobile home located in Ogden, Kansas. No cause has been determined at this time.

Fire in Kansas City, Missouri injured two
A fire in the 200 block of Askew Avenue injured two people. The fire started in the front of the house. No cause has been determined for the fire. One occupant of the house was treated for smoke inhalation.

Lawrence, Kansas apartment building burns
A fire in an apartment at 2040 Heatherwood Drive caused several people to be rescued from their apartments. Investigators have not determined how or where the fire started.

Kansas City, Missouri home damaged by fire
A fire was reported in the 2400 block of Park Avenue. The two women in the home escaped without serious injuries.

West Bottoms building damaged by fire
A fire at 1323 W. 13th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, started on the top floor of the six story building. The cause of the fire was reportedly careless smoking. Damages were estimated to be about $50,000 to the building and $200,000 to the contents of the building.

South Wichita, Kansas house destroyed
A fire at 406 W. 58th Street caused an estimated $100,000 in damages. The cause was determined to be an electrical problem in the attic. The fire left the family of seven homeless.

Northwest Wichita, Kansas house damaged by fire
It was determined that the cause of the fire was ashes from the fireplace that the family had placed in its compost pile. The fire at 2227 N. Chadsworth caused an estimated $75,000 in damage. Damage was limited to the exterior and the attic of the house. The fireplace was used on Saturday and the ashes were emptied on Sunday.

Careless smoking caused fire
A fire at 446 N. Piatt in Wichita, Kansas was being blamed on a man who fell asleep while smoking, his cigarette started the fire. The man was hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation. Damages were estimated to be $25,000. There was not a working smoke detector in the apartment.

Mobile home damaged by fire
A fire in the 100 block of South Khedive in Maize was heavily damaged by fire. The fire was caused when an elderly woman stirred the embers before putting another log on the fire and a coal fell into a hole next to the fireplace. She attempted to put it out herself before calling her daughter who in turn called 911. The mobile home sustained an estimated $20,000 in damage.

Arson suspected in nursery fire
Frye's Greenhouse located in the 2900 block of North Buckner-Tarsney Road in eastern Jackson County was heavily damaged by fire. Fire officials believe it was intentionally set.

Schnucks store closed due to fire
The Washington, Missouri Schnucks store at 2073 Washington Crossing sustained damage due to a fire in a refrigerated meat case. The meat case overheated when a fan seized. Sprinklers put the fire out but the store suffered extensive damage due to smoke and soot.

St. Charles, Missouri mobile home fire leaves family homeless
Investigators believe the fire in a mobile home in the 200 block of Diekamp Lane was caused by residents trying to thaw frozen pipes possibly with a blowtorch. Two families were living in the mobile home, all got out safely.

Firefighters battle two Kansas City fires
The firefighters fought the first fire in the 200 block of West 90th Street. It is reported to have been a mattress fire. The second fire was in the 6700 block of Northwest Waukomis Drive. This fire was reported to have been in the attached garage. No other information was available for either fire.

House fire results in injuries to two
A fire in the 3900 block of Circle Drive in Independence, Missouri critically injured two women. The fire started in the basement and spread throughout the house. No other details were available.

Nixa, Missouri home destroyed by fire
A house in the 900 block of Daisy Lane was destroyed by fire. No injuries were reported.

Fire in Emporia, Kansas duplex causes death
One person died after a fire in an Emporia duplex. Fire officials believe the fire was accidental.

Kansas City, Missouri West Bottoms fire
A fire was reported in a building that reportedly had fireworks, propane, and motorcycle parts inside. The building is located at 938 Wyoming Street. Fire officials believe the fire may have been started by welders working in the basement of the building.

Kansas City, Missouri house fire
A fire in the 4000 block of Park was reported. No other information available.

Northland fatal fire
A fire in the 6700 block of Monticello Terrace resulted in the death of an elderly woman. The fire completely destroyed the home. The four occupants were asleep when the fire began. One of the members of the group gathered everyone together and headed out of the house. They heard an explosion believed to be breaking glass, on their way out. Once outside the home, they realized the grandmother was not with them. Her body was discovered a few feet from the door. An electrical problem may have started the fire in a screened back-porch area.

St. Charles County fire damages four homes
A fire at 234 Pond Hollow Drive caused major damage to two homes and minor damage to two others. The fire started in an enclosed sunroom. It is believed that an unattended candle caused the fire. One home suffered an estimated $250,000 in damage and the other $150,000. The two adjacent homes had minor damage. Two firefighters and a resident were injured.

Valley, Nebraska couple die in explosion October 3rd
An explosion at a home at 8402 N. 252nd Court resulted in the death of two people. The cause of the explosion was determined to be a propane leak in the home.

Candle at Wentzville home ignites Christmas tree
A candle ignited a Christmas tree in a home at 2214 Blue Lake Drive. Minor injuries were sustained by three firefighters who were treated at the scene. A pet dog died in the fire. The estimated damage to the home was more than $280,000. Heat damage of less than $10,000 was sustained by two nearby homes.

Car repair shop damaged by fire in O'Fallon, Missouri
Goodfellow Motors in the 1400 block of West Terra Lane was destroyed by fire. No other information is available.

Two suspicious Kansas City, Kansas fires
A fire at 25 S. Water Street in Kansas City, Kansas was noticed by construction crews who were demolishing the building and salvaging materials at the time. The crew was at one end when the fire was discovered at the other end of the building. The fire had been intentionally set in an industrial freezer after the insulation had been stripped from it. The second fire was in the office building for Brookstone Apartments at 7645 Garfield Court. Witnesses saw the office being broken into and then set on fire. Firefighters found that a type of accelerant had been sprayed or poured in at least two different places in the office. Damage in the second fire was estimated to be $45,000.

Mobile home fire in Arnold, Missouri kills one
A fire in the 2100 block of Park Drive resulted in the death of one person. Neighbors had smelled smoke as early as 6 a.m. but did not report the fire until 6:45 a.m. The body was found in the home’s living room.

Vacant Wichita, Kansas home burns
A vacant house located at 1407 N. Estelle is believed to have been intentionally set. The damage estimate is $30,000.

Ozark fire damages home
An Ozark home was damaged by a fire sparked by an electrical short. The fire was fueled by an exploding boat fuel tank. The boat was stored in the attached garage of the home. The house is located at 3919 N. 13th Street.

Waldo house fire results in injuries
A fire at 7311 Campbell Street sent a Kansas City, Missouri man to the hospital with burns to his hands and face. The fire started in an upstairs bedroom and spread to the attic.

Kansas City, Kansas apartment complex fire causes damage
An apartment in a four-plex unit of an apartment complex sustained $125,000 in damages to the structure and its contents. An adjoining unit suffered smoke damage. The building was evacuated and no injuries were reported. The fire is being blamed on food left cooking on a stove.

Copia Urban Winery in St. Louis catches fire
A fire at the Copia Urban Winery is believed to be arson. A former employee is suspected but there is not enough evidence to charge him. The Winery is located at 1122 Washington Avenue. Several spots where fires had been set were found by investigators. Five people who live in a second floor loft were evacuated safely.

West County fire kills two
A fire in a home in west St. Louis County resulted in the death of a retired man and his elderly mother. The cause of the fire was a cigarette.

Vacant house fire in Kansas City, Kansas
A fire in the 1800 block of S. 38th Street resulted in one firefighter suffering steam burns. The fire is considered suspicious.

Overland Park, Kansas home suffers fire damage
A house near West 78th Street and Robinson Street caught fire and caused an estimated $30,000 in property damage. The attic fire was likely caused by an electrical problem.

Northwest Wichita fire damages house
A fire at 13111 W. Harvest Court appears to have started from still hot fireplace ashes. The ashes stored in a container outside the back of the house burned up the side of the house and into the roof. The fire was contained to the attic but did cause part of the roof to collapse. Estimates have been set at more than $100,000.

Kansas City, Missouri apartment fire forces residents out into the cold
An apartment building in the 100 block of Gladstone Boulevard caught fire and forced its residents out into the cold. No cause has been determined.

South Kansas City, Missouri fire
A house at 121st Terrace near Holmes Road suffered fire damage. Four firefighters were injured when they slipped on ice.

Kansas City, Missouri Northland house catches fire
A fire in the 1400 block of N.W. 70th Street was spotted by an unknown person passing by who knocked on the door of the house. Two girls were able to escape because of this person. It appears the fire started in the attic of the home.

Lenexa business damaged by fire.
Five Lenexa strip mall businesses were damaged by fire. The businesses are located near 87th Street and Quivera Road. The fire began in the kitchen of the Genghis Khan restaurant at 12122 W. 87th Street. A donut shop and three other businesses were damaged by smoke.

House in Kansas City, Kansas damaged by fire
A house in the 2900 block of East 69th Street was damaged by fire. The cause of the fire was an electrical problem. The fire started in a wall and spread.

Auto repair shop sustains fire damage
A Kansas City, Kansas auto repair shop sustained fire damage estimated to be $240,000. The shop is located at 901 Cheyenne.

House fire in Kansas City, Missouri results in deaths
A fire in a house located in the 3000 block of Askew Avenue resulted in the deaths of three people. No cause of the fire has been determined. It appears the occupants were overcome by smoke or carbon monoxide. The living room appeared to have sustained the most damage.

Jerry King, Jo Leigh Wagoner Fischer and Karrie Clinkinbeard have been retained by the US Department of Homeland Security to teach the Interviewing-Interrogation Techniques and Courtroom Testimony course at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. They will be teaching the legal portion of the course the week of January 14, 2008.

Wichita explosion injures two
An explosion at 17737 W. 103d Street South in Wichita, blew out two walls and collapsed the roof of the house. The explosion was caused by a ruptured gas line near the stove. The estimated damages were $40,000.

Fire damages house Kansas City, Missouri
A house located in the 3800 block of Brooklyn Avenue was damaged by fire. Damages were estimated at $50,000 to the house and its contents. The cause of the fire was an electrical problem.

Apartment building damaged by fire Kansas City, Missouri
A firefighter sustained minor burns fighting a fire in the 2800 block of Park Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. The apartment building was vacant at the time of the fire. Officials believe the fire was intentionally set. An estimated $25,000 in damage to the building was caused by the fire.

St. Louis woman dies in house fire
A house fire in the 4600 block of Newberry Terrace resulted in the death of an 81 year old woman. The cause of the fire was likely a faulty electrical socket.

Woman saved from St. Louis house fire
A fire in a boarding house located at 5256 Delmar Boulevard appears to have been caused by a space heater. A woman had to be rescued from the second floor of the building.

House near Lone Jack, Missouri heavily damaged by fire
A two story house in rural Jackson County was damaged by fire. The large house was heavily damaged while the attached garage was totally unaffected. No other details available.

Cahokia fire displaces residents
A fire in the 1000 block of Earnest Street displaced thirteen people on Christmas night.

Kansas City, Kansas home destroyed by fire
A fire at 2525 N. 52nd Street was destroyed by fire. When fire crews arrived they encountered a rolling fire inside with smoke pouring from the house. The multi-level house was considered a total loss. Damage estimate was $650,000 for the home and its contents. The fire is believed to have started in the basement.

Wichita man shocked and is in serious condition
A man who was working at putting an electrical box on at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Joseph Campus was shocked with between 12,000 and 14,000 volts of electricity. The man is in critical condition at a Wichita hospital.

Wichita house fire is being investigated as arson
A west Wichita house fire sustained $275,000 in damage. The fire in the house located in the 8400 block of West Meadow Pass is being investigated as a burglary and arson.

Derby house fire reported
A Derby house located in the 1400 block of Warren Court sustained an estimated $75,000 in damages. It was reported that a resident of the house built a fire in the wood-burning stove and then left the house. The cause of the fire was a faulty flue.

Fire in O'Fallon occurs during car repair
An O'Fallon man is burned, his dog killed and his home damaged by spilled gasoline that burst into flames. The man was under his vehicle when he bumped the fill hose on the vehicle's gas tank. The gas was ignited by a propane heater in the garage. Damage was estimated to be more than $100,000.

Wichita duplex fire
A fire in a duplex at 8711 E. Parkmount, near Pawnee and Rock Road in Wichita caused about $10,000 in damages. The cause of the blaze was a faulty fireplace flue. No one was injured.

Lawrence fire injures one
A Lawrence building known as the Maupin House located at 1613 Tennessee Street was damaged by fire with an estimated $5,000 in damages. The cause is unknown at this time.

Family of four escapes fire in Kansas City, Kansas
A fire in the 1500 block of Praun Lane caused about $100,000 in damages. Fire was shooting from the home's attic when firefighters arrived. It is believed to have been caused by an electric malfunction in the attic.

Springfield fire damages construction firm
Cotton's Construction located in north Springfield on Commercial Street suffered fire damage. The roof collapsed during the fire but no one was in the building at the time and no injuries were reported.

Three businesses in Godfrey are damaged by fire
The Unique Boutique suffered the most damage with most of the store's inventory being destroyed. A wireless communication store and a carpet store were damaged by smoke. No cause has been determined.

Kansas City East Bottoms fire lights up the sky
The IFCO building near Chouteau Trafficway and Stilwell Street was damaged by fire fueled by wooden pallets. IFCO's business is reconditioning and distributing wooden pallets. There were some explosions within the building due to propane tanks that are used to fuel forklifts. No one was injured.

South Wichita home damaged by fire
A one-story house at 2809 S. Ida suffered about $60,000 in damages. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Neighbors hear noise before they discover fire
Windows shook and a few loud bangs caused neighbors to go outside to check what was happening. They discovered a badly burned man wandering away from his home that was totally engulfed by fire. The man stated that he had been working on the gas line and that he needed an ambulance. Fire officials have not given a cause for the fire yet. There have been no damage estimates given, but the house in the 800 block of Bennington Avenue, was just a blackened shell in the light of day.

Three people escape house fire in Wichita
A fire at 1223 N. Estell in Wichita was heavily damaged and three people in the home at the time of the fire were able to escape without serious injuries. The fire caused about $25,000 in damages to the house and its contents. The fire investigator said the cause was a faulty extension cord.

Man escapes Kansas City, Kansas duplex fire
A fire occurred in the garage of a duplex located in the 2700 block of Eaton Street. An estimated $60,000 in damages were caused by the fire. The cause of the fire was a car inside the garage.

Child is rescued from Hanley Hills house fire
A house at 7905 Alert Drive in Hanley Hills located in St. Louis County, was totaled by fire. Three of the occupants escaped, but a 4-year old in a bedroom was unable to get out. A police officer broke a window and rescued the child. The child is expected to recover. The fire started in an electrical junction box.

Independence resident dies in house fire
A fire in the 19000 block of East Ponca Terrace resulted in the death of one person. The fire was determined to be accidental and was apparently ignited by a faulty water heater.

Apartment building damaged by fire
An apartment building at 4455 N. Antioch Road in Kansas City, Missouri was damaged by fire. The fire appeared to have been caused by electrical problems. Estimates of damage were $2,000 to the building and $5,000 to the contents. No injuries were reported.

Northeast Kansas City house damaged by fire
An unoccupied house at 1106 Norton Avenue was damaged by an arson fire. The damage estimate was given at $8,000 to the house and none to the contents.

St. Louis city fire is suspicious
A fire at 5070 Davison Avenue is being investigated as arson. Fires had been intentionally set at the front and back doors of the house. Though twelve people were in the house at the time, no injuries were reported.

School bus in Roeland Park, Kansas was destroyed by fire
A school bus driver had just dropped off the children at school when he smelled smoke. He discovered that the built-in heater under the rear seats was on fire. No one was injured.

Fire at Overland Park home sends family to the hospital
A fire at 7129 Beverly Street may have been caused by electrical problems. Fire officials were looking at a space heater in the family room, but said that may not be the direct cause. The neighborhood had been experiencing power outages due to an ice storm and the family reported having "partial power" prior to the fire. The family was treated for smoke inhalation and released. Damage was estimated to be about $200,000.

Apartment building evacuated due to fire
A fire was reported at an apartment building near the University of Kansas Medical Center located at the 2900 block of West 42nd Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Residents were evacuated. A firefighter was taken to the hospital, no further details were available.

Bel Aire, Kansas fire heavily damages house
The fire was reported to be in a house in the 4200 block of North Stratford Lane. The cause of the fire was determined to be candles left burning in the bedroom of two young children. Damages were estimated to be $50,000.

Apartment fire in Shrewsbury, Missouri
A fire at The Villas at Kenrick apartment complex, located in the 7400 block of Whitehall Colonial Lane, caused extensive damage. The cause of the fire was most likely a dropped cigarette. Firewalls helped prevent the fire from spreading.

Two Kansas City, Kansas fires displace nine families
A fire in the 3900 block of Booth Street caused an estimated $100,000 in damages to an apartment building. Arson was determined to be the cause. A man was detained at the scene, and it was believed he was about to be evicted. A second fire was located at an apartment building in the 2900 block of West 42nd Avenue. Damages were estimated to be at $100,000. Arson is suspected in this fire, as well.

Wichita fire claims life
A fire in a triplex at 5112 E. Zimmerly claimed the life of a man in the middle unit. The alarming smoke detector had been ignored for hours before anyone called 911. The fire caused an estimated $25,000 in damages. Fire investigators stated there was nothing suspicious about the fire. It appears the man fell asleep on the sofa with a lit cigarette.

House fire in Topeka blamed on dog
A grease fire caused $50,000 in damages to a Topeka home. A woman had been frying fish on the stove, when she left to take the garbage outside. Her dog somehow shut the door after her and she could not reenter the home. The fire started on the stove, then flames spread to the attic. The house was fully engulfed. No injuries were reported.

Olive Street fire reported
A fire was reported in the 3500 block of Olive Street in Kansas City, Missouri. No other details are available.

Olathe house fire caused $1 million in damages
A fire destroyed a large house in the 21200 block of West 106th Street in Olathe, Kansas. The house is located near College Boulevard and Kansas 7. No one was home at the time of the fire.

House fire blamed on fireplace ashes
A fire in the 60 block of Windam Place Drive in St. Charles County, Missouri caused an estimated $170,000 in damages. A fire official said the cause of the fire was hot fireplace ashes being placed in a grocery bag and then igniting the garage.

Vacant house fire is ruled suspicious
A fire in the 300 block of Brighton Avenue has been labeled suspicious. Gasoline was smelled by firefighters as they fought the blaze.

Fire destroys historic log farmhouse
A historic log farmhouse outside De Soto in Southern Jefferson County was destroyed by fire. The farmhouse dated to the mid-1800s. It is believed that the fire was caused by a spark from an outdoor wood-burning furnace that ignited a nearby wood pile. The occupants of the home were uninjured.

Critical burns suffered by elderly man
An elderly man was trapped inside his burning apartment at the Alexian Court Senior Apartments in the 2600 block of Chippewa Street in St. Louis. He was taken to a local hospital and was reported to be in critical condition. Careless smoking is being blamed for the fire.

Kansas City home damaged by fire
A fire in the 5400 block of Brooklyn Avenue damaged an occupied home. There were no injuries reported. Damage estimates have not been determined.

Kansas City building fire proves difficult to battle
A fire broke out in an unoccupied building near the Municipal Correctional Institution at 8100 Ozark Road in Kansas City. The fire proved difficult because of its "off the beaten path" location and the fire being located in the interior of the building. This made it difficult to reach with water. An injured firefighter was treated at the scene. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Fire in Independence destroys new house
The fire was located in the 2800 block of South Lowe Road, just north of Burr Oak Woods. There were no reports of injuries. Damage estimates were unavailable. The cause of the fire was not known.

Fire at BNSF rail yard burns locomotive
A locomotive caught fire at a BNSF rail yard near 42nd Street and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was not available. Damage estimates were unavailable.

Dad saves children from fire in their Newton, Kansas apartment
A fire at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Heather Lane in southwest Newton was traced to a malfunction in the electrical distribution system. A father dropped his two children and then jumped onto waiting police officers. The dad suffered a back injury, the two children suffered no injuries. Two units were extensively damaged and at least two other units had minor damage. The loss has been estimated at $200,000.

Wichita fire caused by arson
A fire at a Wichita warehouse owned by ABC Supply caused an estimated $75,000 in damage. The warehouse, located at 1321 E. First Street had a sprinkler system that kept the fire contained to a portion of the building. No injuries were reported. Arson has been determined as the cause but officials were not releasing any other details.

Fire at animal shelter being investigated
A fire at a Benton Illinois animal shelter killed dozens of cats and some dogs. No cause has been determined for the fire. Damage estimates were not available.

Halogen lamps cause fire in Shawnee
A Shawnee house fire extensively damaged a home in the 23700 block of West 54th Terrace. The halogen lamp was inside a closet of the home. One person suffered minor burns. Damage was estimated at $150,000.

Kansas City warehouse damaged by fire
A warehouse caught fire near Stadium Drive and Bennington Avenue. Firefighters requested help from HazMat because oxygen, propane and acetylene tanks were reported to be in the building. The building was part of the old General Motors Leeds auto plant. No one was injured. No damage estimates were available.

Northland home damaged by fire on Thanksgiving Day
The fire was located in the 5000 block of Northwest 48th Street. The fire appears to have started in a second floor bedroom. The family was not home at the time of the fire.

McPherson County fire results in death
The cause of a fire at a home in Windom, 12 miles west of McPherson, has not been determined. The fire caused the death of a young woman who was upstairs at the time of the fire and could not get out. A family that was downstairs at the time, were all able to escape.

No one injured in three fires
A fire at 1501 S. Waco in Wichita caused $17,000 in damages. The cause of the fire appears to be an overloaded electrical outlet. No one was injured. A second fire at 1326 N. Erie caused $50,000 in damages. The cause of the fire appears to be a candle. A third fire occurred in Haysville at 324 S. Van Arsdale. This fire caused about $20,000 in damages. The fire began in the utility room but the cause has not been determined.

Rupture of gas line near Haven
A 30-inch natural gas pipeline owned by Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. ruptured in an open field about a mile east of the north edge of Haven. Flames were shooting hundreds of feet in the air. No injuries or damage estimates were available.

Kansas Supreme Court Renders Opinions Regarding Underground Gas Migration Appeals
The Practice Group successfully represented its clients in two class actions which were consolidated for trial. The two classes alleged that 143 million cubic feet of natural gas escaped from an underground salt storage facility and migrated to Hutchison, Kansas, some 7 miles away. The Real Property Class sought damages in the amount of $83 million for diminution in value of real property. The Business Owners class sought damages of nearly $8 million. Both classes sought several hundred million dollars in punitive damages. The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $5 million for the Real Property Class and $0 for the Business Owners. No punitive damages were awarded. The jury returned the verdict during the 5th week of trial. A juror was quoted in the newspaper as saying that the majority of the jury concluded there was no evidence of damages, but they didn’t want “the people to feel like it was a slap in the face,” so the jury devised its own methodology and awarded $5 million. The verdicts were appealed to the Kansas Supreme Court. The $0 verdict for the Business Class was upheld on appeal. The $5 million verdict for the Real Property Class was reversed and remanded with instructions to enter judgment as a matter of law in favor of Defendants, wiping out the $5 million verdict against the Practice Group’s clients.

Clinkinbeard Obtains Verdict Against Ford Motor Company for Defective Vehicle
Karrie Clinkinbeard successfully tried a product liability action against Ford Motor Company and Extreme Ford (a local Ford dealership). Her clients, an elderly couple, owned a 1990 Lincoln Town Car for which the alternator and battery were replaced in 2000 with a Motorcraft alternator and battery. In July 2003, after driving just a few miles, the couple parked their Town Car in the garage and turned off the engine. Approximately 15 minutes later the alternator in the Town Car caught fire, igniting the engine compartment and ultimately spreading to the home. The alternator and its component parts contained a design defect related to its inability to dissipate heat which created an electrical short to ground, causing the alternator to ignite. Defendants claimed the Motorcraft alternator was not the cause of the fire, but rather the Motorcraft battery caused the fire by releasing hydrogen which was ignited by some source in the engine compartment. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the couple for the total loss of their home, vehicles and personal possessions in the amount of $350,000, plus costs incurred in bringing the action.

Independence Home Destroyed While Owner at Church
A family returned from church to find their house destroyed by fire. Flames were spotted by a passerby just before 11am in a house in the 1100 block of North Liberty Street. It is unknown what caused the fire, but it is believed to have been accidental. Flames were seen in the kitchen and the fire department said the fire spread to the eaves of the house before reaching the roof. The amount of damage has not yet been calculated but the house is uninhabitable according to fire officials.

Woman Killed in Kansas City, Kansas House Fire
Fire broke out around 3:30am in a house at 1533 North 75th Drive. While a 44-year-old woman and four children did escape the blaze, there was one victim, a 73-year-old, Evelyn Wright, was found in a back bedroom of the house. She was found within three minutes of firefighters arriving, but was soon pronounced dead. The fire appears to have started in a bedroom and damage is expected to be between $10,000 and $30,000. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Two House Fires Believed to be Caused by Same Arsonists
Two homes in St. Louis, one in the 5000 block of Emerson Avenue and the other in the 4700 block of Plover Avenue caught fire early Saturday morning, around 2am and 5:45 am, respectively. Both were owned by the same person. The investigators think that, following a dispute with the owner, the same people set fire to both homes, which are less than a half-mile away from each other. The following Sunday, police and investigators looked into the case believing the cause was arson. The Emerson Avenue fire was set using gasoline according to Battalion Chief Brian Walsh. No further cause was given for the Plover Avenue fire and no injuries were reported.

Lake Closed Due to Fire
Boaters are not permitted at Lake Springfield as officials inspect the damage and clear debris after the city's main power plant suffered an explosion and fire. City officials say the water is safe to drink, but closed the lake to boaters to keep oil from being disturbed. The oil was washed into the lake as firefighters worked to put out the blaze Saturday night. The mayor estimated repairs to the brick building where the explosion took place, which held the city's three main generators, to cost millions of dollars. No one was injured and the explosion is under investigation.

Firefighters Find Woman in Burning Home
A fire was reported around 8:45 pm Monday night in a house in the 400 block of North Geronimo Drive of Independence, MO. Firefighters quickly had the fire under control and found an elderly woman in a back bedroom. CPR was performed at the scene and she was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not available. The fire started in a front room of the house and the woman was alone at the time.

Fire Heavily Damages Mobile Home
The fire is believed to have been caused by the owner who left something on the stove. The owner took his son to school and found his home on fire when he returned. The fire was reported after 9am Tuesday morning in a small mobile home park in the 600 block of Missouri 14 in Billings, MO. Both Republic and Clever firefighters helped combat the flames. No one was hurt and no other homes were damaged in the blaze.

Fire Destroys Historic Theater
The Paxton Majestic Theater in the central Illinois town of Paxton caught fire Tuesday morning. The 150-year-old theater had been closed as a theater since 2005, but did house three occupied apartments. All residents escaped and no one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Historic De Soto Farmhouse Destroyed By Fire
The 4,000-square-foot house dated to the mid-1800s and was occupied by a couple who escaped unharmed and reported the fire soon after 4am Friday morning. The house was located off of Turley Road, southwest of De Soto. Other Jefferson County fire departments were called to help and bring water due to the De Soto fire department having trouble getting enough water to the fire. Some water was brought from the Big River nearby, but these efforts were unable to save the house or its contents. The fire is believed to have been caused by a spark from a wood-burning furnace outside, which ignited a wood pile close to the home. No one was injured

House Fire Claims Life in Collinsville
Tina Ryan, 38, was alone at her home in the 500 block of Merrell Street when the fire started. She used an oxygen tank which fueled the fire and complicated efforts to control. Ryan suffered from numerous health ailments and was often bedridden. Three Collinsville police officers arrived at the house first and brought Ryan outside, but she was already dead. They suffered minor smoke inhalation and were taken to Anderson Hospital to be evaluated. Collinsville fire chief said the fire progressed very fast and the oxygen tank helped to fuel the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Downtown Festus hit by fire again
A fire located in the 100 block of Main Street destroyed several businesses including Computax, Main Street Café, Father Time Clock & Antique Shop and Calvary Chapel of Festus. Wacky Bear Factory may also have sustained some damage. There were no injuries reported. Everyone was evacuated safely moments after the fire began around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26. Damage estimates were not available. Overloading electrical sockets is the suspected cause.

Mountain Grove fire damages buildings on town square
A fire on the town square left one business destroyed and another damaged. The Ratteree and Barnes Plumbing Company was destroyed and a second unnamed business thought to be a resale shop was heavily damaged. No injuries were reported and damage estimates were not available.

Abandoned lumber company in Independence caught fire Friday night
A fire in an abandoned lumber company in the Fairmont business district of Independence was reported about 11:30 p.m. Friday night. The cause of the fire is being investigated, but it appears it started in the rear of the building. No damage estimates are available.

Wichita man dies in kitchen fire accident
A resident of the Plaza North Senior Residences at 2113 N. Madison apparently turned his stove on too high while cooking when the loose-fitting robe he was wearing, brushed against the burner and caught fire. Damage to the residence was $50,000, which was mostly water damage. The resident was taken to Via Christi Regional Medical Center - St. Francis Campus in critical condition, where he died six hours later.

A fire at the Silver Springs Apartments damaged several units
A fire on Sunday heavily damaged several units at the Silver Springs Apartments near Central and Ridge. The blaze started in a second floor apartment. Officials believe that the 16 unit building will be a total loss. One man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Damage estimates were listed at about $1 million. The cause of the fire was determined to be careless smoking.

Undetermined cause in Saturday fire in Springfield
A fire near Sunset and Golden destroyed an old dairy barn and an unoccupied house. The cause of the fire is listed as undetermined. Damage was too heavy to make a determination. No damage estimate was given.

Iowa chemical factory suffers explosion
A chemical plant northwest of Des Moines suffered an explosion and fire Monday. Barton Solvents Inc. saw flames and clouds of smoke billowing above their business. Exploding barrels could be seen shooting into the sky. Two interstate highways near the plant were closed. No injuries were reported. Damage estimates were not available.

Flash fire at Bayer Chemical plant injures two
Two workers were cleaning out 55-gallon drums when a flash fire occurred at the Bayer Chemical plant in the 8400 block of Hawthorne Road. The workers suffered minor flash burns to the face. The fire was quickly extinguished by the sprinkler systems. No damage estimates were available.

Vacant home in South County severely damaged this morning
A fire that broke out in a vacant house in the 3200 block of Yaeger Road severely damaged the dwelling. It was determined that the fire began in the basement and spread to the first floor. The fire is under investigation. No damage estimates were available.

North Kansas City home fire determined to be arson
Up to 10 people were in a house located in the 11200 block of North Nashua when an 18-year-old man set fire to a paper plate. Upon investigation it was found that the young man was trying to clear people out of his room. The fire caused $15,000 in damage to the rental house. No serious injuries were reported.

Fairview Heights apartment fire may have been ignited by trash
Four tenants were displaced in an apartment fire in Fairview Heights. The fire may have started in a garbage container outside of the building. Fire officials say they are still investigating though they have some trash cans that are totally burnt. Damages were estimated to be $75,000. No one was injured.

Redings Mill woman killed in fire
A fire at 11057 Hilltop Lane destroyed the home and killed a bedridden woman on November 1. The cause and origin of the fire were investigated, but could not be determined due to the extent of the damage. Foul play was not indicated and it appeared the fire had been burning for a while before it was reported. No damage estimates were available.

Fatal St. Joseph fire involved no foul play. (10/8/07)
St. Joseph fire officials ruled out foul play in an August fatal fire. The statement they released indicated that an electrical problem is the cause of the fire. A cord to a window air conditioner showed signs of electrical arcing possibly due to the family's pet puppies damaging the cord.

Vacant East St. Louis school gutted by fire. (10/9/07)
Harding Elementary School located in the 700 block of North 74th Street was gutted by fire Sunday night. Fire officials are investigating to determine the cause. They have not ruled out arson. The school was vacant but still had electricity.

Downtown Festus building destroyed by fire. (10/13/07)
The fire destroyed a building that housed three businesses and a religious center located at North Mill and West Main Street. The businesses involved are Kemper Home Creations, Tan Down Under and Touch of Health. It took firefighters from 14 departments about four hours to extinguish the fire. Two firefighters were slightly injured. Faulty wiring was determined to be the cause of the blaze.

Springfield Central High School senior died in a fire Sunday morning. (10/17/07)
It is believed that the fire began on the deck of the home and then moved up an outside wall to the attic. The house is located in the 300 block of Meadowlark Ave. The student was found on the floor of an upstairs bathroom. The fire is still under investigation.

Pet crematorium destroyed by fire in Brighton, Illinois Monday night. (10/17/07)
Smoke was spotted coming from the building Monday evening. The crematorium was a total loss. There were no injuries. The crematorium was a part of the Rowens Kennel.

Fire damages duplex in Lee's Summit. (10/17/07)
Firefighters responded to multiple calls reporting a fire in the back of a duplex at 606 N.W. Fieldcrest Drive. They found a fire in the attic of both units and extinguished it. Both of the units were vacant. An investigation into the cause is underway.

Independence Academy closed following a fire on Tuesday. (10/17/07)
A fire that appears to have been intentionally set started in a storage room of the Independence Academy, an alternative high school. Storage materials and boxes appeared to have been set on fire. The school was closed Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.

Fire burned two houses in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday evening. (10/18/07)
Two houses burned just five blocks apart. The first fire was near 10th and Quindaro Boulevard and the second was near 10th and Lafayette Avenue. The houses were thought to be vacant. The fires are still being investigated for a cause.

Woman pulled from her mobile home
A woman in her 80s became trapped in her mobile home in the Brookside Estates trailer park in Fenton, Missouri, when she could not open all of the locks on her door. There were no smoke detectors in the home. Investigators believe the fire was accidental and did not find anything suspicious.

Fire destroys St. Charles, Missouri home
An unoccupied two-story home was destroyed. Firefighters responded to the 200 block of East Governor’s Place to extinguish the blaze. A pet dog was pulled from the residence. The blaze started in the kitchen and although the cause has not been determined, electrical is suspected.

3 month old baby is injured in house fire in University City, Missouri
A 3 month old boy was seriously injured when the family home, located in the 7100 block of Hazelwood Lane, caught fire. Firefighters rescued the infant 15 feet from a fire in the basement utility room. The mother and a 2 year old were able to escape. Fire officials believe the cause was electrical.

Fire completely destroys home near Rogersville
It took 4 fire departments 4 hours to extinguish the blaze. At the time the blaze occurred, no one was home. The damage was so extensive that the fire’s cause could not be determined. According to the Chief, “It was one of the most damaged things we’ve had recently.” One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and released.

Man dies from burns suffered in apartment fire in Wichita, KS
A man in his 30s died as a result of burns he suffered in his apartment in west Wichita. Although a chair was slightly burned, there was no other damage. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire.

Firefighter’s death is first loss in line of duty in 17 years
Firefighters in Sedgwick County were battling a grass fire that was started when a tractor trailer driver went past a detour sign and had to turn around. While turning around, the driver struck a utility pole causing a wire to fall to the ground and ignite the grass fire near several houses. The driver then left the scene of the accident. The fallen firefighter stepped on the wire while battling the blaze. There are 3 separate investigations going on at this time.

Experts Say Warehouse fire in Wentzville, Missouri was accident
A four-alarm fire that destroyed a warehouse near the General Motors plant has been ruled an accident by a team of investigators. The warehouse stores maintenance equipment owned by St. Charles County. Investigators say they will probably never know exactly what caused the fire, but it was not deliberately set.

Boy suffers burns in boat explosion in Camden County, Missouri
A 6 year old boy was injured at the Lake of the Ozarks while riding in a boat that exploded. Shortly after filling up the Monterey Cruiser with gas and being pushed away from the dock, the explosion occurred.

Chemical Leak Forces Some Residents to Evacuate Franklin County, Missouri
A BNSF tanker leaked chlorobenzyl chloride, a hazardous chemical, near Franklin County forcing more than two dozen homes to be evacuated. Chlorobenzyl chloride can irritate the skin and eyes and be toxic if ingested. When the tank ruptured, some railroad workers were injured.

Man Burned by Welding Explosion in Overland Park, KS
While a man in his mid-50s was welding in the detached garage at his home, heat from the welding ignited fumes in the building, causing an explosion.

Trailer Catches Fire on U.S. 71
There was a trailer fire on southbound U.S. 71 near 39th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, after the trailer separated from the tractor.

Vacant House Explosion
No one was injured when a vacant house in the 8100 block of Montgall Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, exploded. Neighbors reported smelling gas and hearing an explosion.

Kansas City, Kansas Firefighter was Injured in a Home Fire
While fighting flame extension at a vacant home undergoing renovations, a firefighter fell through the attic ceiling after touching some power lines. The firefighter broke his arm during the fall.

House Destroyed in Mulberry Grove, IL
A 19 year old woman was uninjured when her rural home was blown apart. The explosion was felt more than four miles away. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

Kansas City, Missouri Church Damaged by Second Arson
Pilgrim’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church was damaged for the second time by arson. The backdoor of the church was soaked with gasoline and the fire ignited. The flames quickly spread to the rear and the roof. An empty gas can was found in a trash bin a few feet from the fire scene. The ATF was called in due to the government mandate in the 90s of investigating church fires. A rag was tied to the backdoor handled during the first arson attempt, but a neighbor spotted it and call 911 right away.

Springfield, Missouri Home Suffered Extensive Damage
An unoccupied home suffered extensive fire and smoke damage. Although firefighters had to battle strong winds, none were injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Careless Smoking Causes House Fire
Kansas City, Missouri firefighters were called out to the 800 block of Belmont Avenue where a man was carelessly smoking. His smoking sparked a mattress fire, but was contained to a single room. The man was not injured but for cutting his arm on glass as he broke out the window.

Painter Electrocuted While Painting National Register of Historic Places Home
A painter was heard yelling before he fell back and died on the roof of a historic home near Swope Park in Kansas City, Missouri. The painter was using a jump ladder to reach the dormer of the home when the incident occurred. Firefighters had to have electrical crews neutralize the current before they could tend to the victim. An investigation is ongoing as to the cause of the incident, including determining what energized the ladder and how.

Natural Gas Leak Causes Injury in North Kansas City, Missouri
What was initially reported to firefighters as exposure to carbon monoxide later turned to be a natural gas leak in a residence in the Northland. This occurred in the 7900 block of NE 55th Street. How the leak occurred is still under investigation. There was no reported property damage.

Independence Contractor Dies When Ladder Comes Into Contact With Power Lines
While performing work on the outside of a home in the 9800 block of West 129th in Overland Park, KS, a man moving his aluminum ladder came into contact with overhead power lines.

$750,000 in Damages to Wichita, Kansas Condominiums
After cooking on a grill on a wooden balcony in the Silverleaf condominiums, a woman reported hearing a thumping noise and then seeing flames. Flames started moving up the side of the building before spreading quickly to the attic and other units. Two units were destroyed and at least four others were damaged. There were no injuries.

Former Harding Elementary School Destroyed
The former school located in East St. Louis, Missouri was completely destroyed. Five ladder trucks were sent to battle the blaze, but the three story brick building had been gutted and the rood had already collapsed.

Lebanon, Missouri Man Electrocuted
After losing control of his 1997 GMC 1500 pickup truck, a man struck a utility pole in Laclede County. Upon exiting his vehicle, he was electrocuted and killed.

Ameristar Casino Restaurant Damaged By Fire
A fire broke out along one wall and into the ceiling of one of the North Kansas City casino’s restaurants. The blaze was under control quickly by Kansas City firefighters.

Class Action Chlorine Railcar Release Case Resolved
Our attorneys successfully defended a chlorine repackager in the largest chlorine release in U.S. history. The release occurred in Festus, Missouri in 2002 while off loading liquid chlorine from a railcar for repackaging into one ton and 150 lb. containers. A chlorine transfer hose which was incorrectly manufactured from stainless steel instead of hastelloy ruptured during off loading which released approximately 48,000 lbs of chlorine into the atmosphere. Although an emergency shut down system had been installed at the facility, three of the ESD valves simultaneously failed . We obtained a favorable resolution of the class action where more than 250 land owners near the plant alleged personal injury and property damage due to the chlorine release.

Lightning strike starts Olathe, Kansas apartment fire.
Lightning struck an apartment complex, causing a fire and displacing eight residents. The air conditioning unit was struck on the ground level of the complex and the fire spread up the walls to the floor joists. No one was injured but the fire caused about $100,000 in damage.

City Hall damaged by fire.
A weekend fire started at the Wichita City Hall, causing in upwards of a million dollars in damage. The fire started after an 8,000-amp line shorted out and exploded in the sub-basement, sending a powerful surge through aging electrical systems. Four people were in the sub-basement working on the building’s chiller when the explosion occurred. The electrical damage is extensive but, fortunately, only minor injuries were reported.

St. Louis house leveled by explosions.
A woman and her grandson were in the kitchen of a St. Louis, Missouri home when an explosion in the basement knocked the woman to her knees. Another blast soon followed. She quickly left the house with her 5-year old grandson through the back door. As they were exiting, she turned around to witness the house explode. Only one brick wall and the chimney were left standing after the blaze was extinguished. The cause remains under investigation.

Storage facility engulfed in flames.
A Warrenton, Missouri Oil Company’s building caught on fire causing the closure of roads and highways. Firefighters do not yet know where the fire began, but several small explosions inside the building during the fire pushed it to three alarms. The building was a supply house for a group of convenience stores owned by the company. Supplies stored included cleaning solvents, windshield washer fluid, motor oil, power steering fluids and paper products. A hazmat team was on hand to monitor the smoke emissions. Fire crews from at least a dozen agencies helped battle the blaze. No one was on site when the fire began.

Natural gas generator causes fire.
A malfunction in a natural gas generator ignited a fire at Love Box Company in Wichita, Kansas. The fire was confined to a mechanical area, but damages are being reported in the millions, including smoke damage and fire damage to the generators, boilers and production area. A nearby street was closed while firefighters fought the blaze.

Acid Leak Prompts Evacuation of Plant
The Mallinckrodt, Inc. plant in St. Louis, Missouri was evacuated after a small vapor cloud was detected. The release was due to a leaking hose that allowed hydrochloric fluid to escape from a 5,200 gallon tank of the acid. The fire department’s hazardous materials team was able to patch the leaky hose. An employee and two contractors were taken to the hospital with minor injuries due to exposure to the chemical but were released. Limited exposure can irritate and inflame eyes, nose and the respiratory tract and can cause pulmonary problems.

Late Night Fire Destroys Kansas City, Kansas Home
Fire broke out in the two-story structure late in the evening. The fire started on the first floor and quickly spread to the rest of the house. Four adults and one child were able to escape unharmed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

New Restaurant Damaged by Fire
A Qdoba Mexican Grill under construction in Wentzville, Missouri was seriously damaged by fire on the roof of the building. The cause of the fire is unknown. Only the roof had been completed as the rest of the structure was still just a shell so damage was limited.

Fire Guts Vacant School Office Building
A boarded-up public school building in Venice, Illinois caught fire, requiring the assistance of seven volunteer fire departments to extinguish the blaze. Fire fighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading into the adjacent high school and grade school buildings. Though police had recently responded to several incidents of vandalism at the schools, the cause of this fire remains to be determined. Employees of the school district had removed historical records dating back more than a century just weeks prior to the fire.

Apartment Complex Fire Deemed Arson
A St. Louis, Missouri apartment complex was damaged to the estimated tune of $12 million due to an incendiary fire. The complex was under construction at the time. A homeless couple reportedly saw two men throw firebombs into the unfinished wooden framework in the early morning hours. Samples from the scene revealed a flammable liquid was used as an accelerant. A nearby Arby’s restaurant and high school were also damaged in the fire.

Boats Catch Fire on Lake
A spark from the engine of a pontoon boat on Table Rock Lake caught the boat’s gas tank on fire. The boat was completely destroyed but no one was injured. The owner was removed from the boat by a passerby.

A second boat caught fire on the lake when the engine of a Tahoe Bowrider backfired, blowing the motor cover off and igniting a fire in the engine compartment. The operator of the boat, a Southern Stone County firefighter, advised his passengers to jump into the water. After determining that the fire was too large to extinguish with the on-board fire extinguisher, the operator also jumped in the water. No one was seriously injured. The boat owner sustained minor burns.

Explosion at Richmond, Missouri Chemical Plant
A 55-gallon barrel of epoxy in a tractor-trailer exploded, triggering fire and a string of subsequent explosions at the Arnette Limited chemical plant. Firefighters were forced to evacuate six blocks. The cause of the initial explosion is unknown. The plant manufactures resins and polymers. No one was injured, but there were concerns about air pollution due to the explosions. The EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources are monitoring the cleanup and currently find no evidence of air pollution problems that could harm residents.

Fatal Fire Caused by Space Heater
Two longtime Gladstone, Missouri residents were killed in an accidental fire in their home. The fire began in the bathroom where a space heater ignited nearby combustibles. Fire investigators believe the home owner attempted to fire the fire because he was found in the living room with a fire extinguisher in his hands. The front door was found open but the couple was overcome by smoke before they could escape. The house had poor ventilation, which allowed the fire to burn inside for a long time before a neighbor noticed smoke wafting from the home.

St. Peters Office Building Damaged by Fire
A St. Peters, Missouri office building was heavily damaged by fire. Firefighters believe the fire was ignited by a cigarette dropped into a trash can located in an outside smoking area. About 50% of the building was destroyed but no one was injured.

Elementary School Evacuated Due to Fire
The Fairmont Elementary School in St. Charles, Missouri was evacuated when smoke began to fill several classrooms. The fire was ignited by a malfunctioning electric heater located in the hallway. The damage was confined to the heater and the children returned to class within 25 minutes.

Luxury Houseboats and Cruisers Destroyed
A fire at the Port of Kimberling near Kimberling City, Missouri caused significant damage to a number of boats before firefighters from two counties could control the blaze. An improper heating unit in an engine compartment is suspected to have caused the explosion that sparked the fire, though a definite cause has not been released. A second explosion was observed by firefighters after their arrival, which prompted the requested for additional help from a neighboring county. The marina has more than 1,300 slips on several docks and many boats had to be moved to avoid heat and smoke damage. Three boats sunk and three were beyond repair, with several others sustaining minor damage.

Cooking Fire Results in Fatality
A cooking mishap proves fatal in a Haysville, Kansas home. The resident was apparently boiling water on the stove and her sleeve caught fire when she reached for the kettle. She was unable to extinguish the fire and ultimately died as a result. The police, responding to several 911 hang up calls, discovered the fire. The fire did not cause major damage to the house.

Man Narrowly Escapes House Fire
A Derby, Kansas man was trapped in the basement of his home due to fire. The fire started in the laundry room as a result of clothes piled up too close to a water heater. The man, unable to kick out the basement window, was rescued by firefighters. The man suffered only smoke inhalation and his wife and 5 foster children were able to escape the blaze unharmed largely due to the smoke alarms and escape route posters hanging in the hallway of the home.

Assisted Living Residents Evacuated
Residents of a Kansas City, Kansas assisted living complex were evacuated due to a fire that began in a restroom exhaust fan. Many residents were in wheelchairs, but were able to escape due to the help of firefighters. No one was injured.

Toddlers Rescued From Burning Apartment
A Kansas City, Kansas man rescued two neighbor children from an apartment fire. The 2-year old and 3-year old had been left alone in the apartment. He had heard the smoke alarms sounding around noon and ultimately evacuated his family. As they walked down an enclosed stairwell, he reportedly heard cries from a downstairs apartment. The apartment manager used a key to open the apartment door. One child was located right inside the door. After dousing some of the flames with a fire extinguisher he had retrieved from his upstairs apartment, he made his way to the back bedroom to the other child. An electric stove, left on for heat, was to blame for the fire. The children were taken intoprotective custody.

An Unattended Candle to Blame for House Fire
A 15-year-old Wichita, Kansas boy lit a candle and placed it on the floor of his bedroom. The candle was too close to the bed and ignited the bedding. The family was able to escape unharmed, but the family dog did not survive. Although the fire was contained to the bedroom, smoke and water caused extensive damage to the house

North Kansas City, Missouri Harley-Davidson plant damaged by fire.
Dozens of workers were evacuated from the plant due to the fire. No one was injured and the damage is estimated to be only around $5,000 thanks to the facility’s sprinkler system. The fire is believed to have been caused by embers gathered in a dust collection unit.

A man and his grandson suffered from smoke inhalation due to an intentionally set fire.
The fire appeared to have been set in several locations in the home. The Kansas City bomb and arson unit has taken over the investigation. The fire caused approximately $42,000 in damage to the structure and contents of the home.

Owens Fiberglass Corporation employees evacuated due to a breach in the furnace.
A safety employee at the Kansas City, Kansas plant reported that there was no fire, but that 175 tons of molten glass breached the furnace and poured into a moat designed to contain such breaches. Firefighters poured water on the molten glass for several hours to cool it down. The plant manufactures insulation for residences.

Fire destroys K.T. Fryers restaurant.
The fire has left the owner of the restaurant searching for ways to meet requests for holiday catering. The business has operated for 16 years in Lenexa, Kansas. The fire was reported by a maintenance worker who saw smoke coming from the roof. The cause and origin of the fire remains undetermined. Several nearby businesses suffered smoke damage due to the extensive fire.

Extension cord is to blame for fire that destroyed a Centreville, Missouri home.
Six adults and a 16-year old escaped the early morning fire. The owner was boarding relatives and friends who had lost power to their homes during the ice storm. The fire began in a rear bedroom and had been traced to an extension cord plugged into a space heater. The fire spread quickly when one of the occupants opened the door to escape. The firefighters also had trouble getting to the house due to a power pole toppled by the storm.

DardenePrairie, Missouri sixth-grader prevents damage to homes and maybe saved a neighbor’s life.
A twelve-year old boy was shoveling the driveway of his home when he heard popping noises and saw smoke coming from his garage. He grabbed a portable phone and started banging on his neighbors’ doors whose residences are attached to his villa home. The boy’s 73 year-old neighbor was home at the time and escaped thanks to his warning. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical.

Pine Lawn, Missouri home destroyed by fire.
A child playing with a space heater is believed to have caused the fire. The heater ignited something that the child threw in the closet. An older child discovered the fire and alerted his mother. The fire spread quickly due to the knotty pine walls and ceiling that were coated with highly flammable lacquer.

Electrical short blamed for fire at Superior Linen.
The Kansas City, Missouri company suffered about $1 million in damage due to the fire. The fire started late in the evening but firefighters had it under control within an hour. The commercial laundry company has existed for more than a century.

A University of Missouri at St. Louis student died in a fire that broke out in one of the fraternity houses.
The fire started at around 3:30 in the morning on a couch in the front room. The investigation is ongoing, but the cause is believed to have been a cigarette. It is unknown whether they were working at the time of this fire. The fraternity had been cited on several occasions for faulty fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. The residents often dismantle the smoke alarms so they can smoke inside the house during parties and have been known to shoot off the fire extinguishers when things got rowdy.

Ten people at an Anderson, Missouri group home for the mentally ill killed in fire.
Improper electrical wiring in the ceiling may have ignited the fire. Evidence was found that the wiring had been spliced. Although the home had fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, it did not have sprinklers. Governor Matt Blunt has ordered a review of all safety regulations at residential care facilities.

An unattended candle is cited for the cause of a St. Peters, Missouri house fire.
The fire started in the basement of the home where the candle was lit. Though the fire was contained to the basement, it still caused an estimated $55,000 in damage and the homeowner was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Officials reported that unattended candles are the third leading cause of fire in homes.

Nearly 100 Pleasant Hope, Missouri residents evacuated due to a fire at a nearby pork plant.