Excelsior Springs, MO—A fire broke out in an upper-story apartment at 109 Saratoga Ave on Monday afternoon, August 5th, displacing residents and damaging the building. Emergency crews were called to the scene at approximately 3:40 p.m.
Initial reports indicate that the apartment was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The residents, a mother, and her teenage daughter, had moved in the day before and were awaiting the activation of their utilities. It has been confirmed that the utilities were switched on shortly before the fire was reported. Investigators believe that boxes or items left on the stovetop caught fire when the burners, which were in the “on” position, were activated once the electricity was turned on. The exact sequence of events leading to the ignition is still under investigation.
Girl Power! Did you know that women comprise nearly one-third of the Excelsior Springs Fire Department’s personnel?
Firefighters quickly contained the fire in the kitchen area, preventing it from spreading further into the apartment or to the nearby apartment buildings, which were literally within arm’s reach of the affected apartment building. However, the unit where the fire originated and the apartment directly below suffered extensive smoke and water damage.
The intense summer heat, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, posed additional challenges for firefighters donning heavy protective gear. Despite the adverse conditions, crews worked diligently to extinguish the blaze and prevent further damage.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. The displaced residents have been offered assistance from the Red Cross and other community organizations. We will share any community fundraisers, such as GoFundMe campaigns, on the Excelsior Citizen Facebook Page to help support the affected family.
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