12 displaced, four rescued from late-night apartment fire

Posted: September 9, 2020 - 2:08 p.m.

The Lenexa Fire Department says they rescued four people from balconies and a window when they arrived on the scene of an apartment fire late Tuesday night.

Evacuated residents watch as firefighter work to extinguish the fire.
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All photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

Firefighters were dispatched to the London House Apartments, 12801 Lord Nelson Drive at 10:19 p.m. The apartment complex is located immediately northwest of 99th Street and Rosehill Road.

In a news release, Deputy Fire Chief Scott Hoch says the first firefighters arrived on scene at 10:22 and reported light smoke visible from the front of the building.

Two Lenexa firefighters climb the ladder to access
the roof of the apartment building.

"Personnel immediately identified trapped occupants on the second floor of the building at a front window and rear balcony with an active fire in the common hall at the rear of the structure," Hoch says in the release.

Two residents of an apartment on the first floor self-evacuated and were then treated by Johnson County Med-Act paramedics for smoke inhalation. One of those residents, only identified as a woman in her 50s, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for additional treatment. Her condition was described as "stable."

Fire officials say the fire was confined to the first and second floor common hallway and was reported under control at 10:43 p.m.

Four apartments were damaged by smoke and heat according to the fire department.

Twelve residents were displaced and are all receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

Firefighters rescued a cat from the building as they worked to extinguish the fire. A second cat was located and removed from the building after the fire was out.

Lenexa firefighters returning one of the rescued cats to evacuated residents.

"Preliminary damage estimates to the structure and contents exceed $100,000," Hoch says in the release. "The cause of the fire is currently under investigation."

The Overland Park Fire Department also responded to assist with the fire.

Lenexa firefighters standing by, awaiting their next assignment.

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Careless discard of smoking materials cited as cause for OP apartment fire which left woman in critical condition

Posted: February 24, 2020 - 10:42 p.m.
Updated: February 25, 2020 - 11:54 a.m.

A woman in her 40s is in critical condition after she was rescued from an apartment fire near 87th Street and Grant on Monday evening. On Tuesday, fire investigators announced that the fire was caused by careless smoking.

Overland Park and Lenexa firefighters brought the fire under control in about 10 minutes
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All photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

Firefighters from Overland Park and Lenexa were called to the Four Seasons Apartments at 9510 West 87th Street just before 9 p.m.

Overland Park Police were first to arrive on the scene and reported smoke coming from a second-floor apartment. A neighbor told police that they had not seen the woman who lives in the apartment. An officer was able to get into the apartment but was forced back outside by the smoke.

Firefighters were able to rescue the woman from the apartment a short time later. She was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas where she is said to be in critical condition.

Johnson County Med-Act Paramedics and Overland Park Firefighters
rushed the woman to a waiting ambulance.

Overland Park Fire Department Media Manager Jason Rhodes says firefighters had the fire under control within 10 minutes. The damage was contained to the apartment where the fire started.

Johnson County Med-Act transported the police sergeant who initially tried to rescue the woman from her apartment. Rhodes says the sergeant is being treated for "minor smoke inhalation." No other injuries were reported.

A Lenexa firefighter uses a ladder to access the second-floor
apartment where the fire and victim were both found.

Fire investigators say the fire was accidental, caused by careless discard of smoking materials. No working smoke detectors were found in the victim's apartment.

"If you need assistance with smoke alarms, contact you local fire department," Rhodes said. "Additionally, smoking materials should always be completely extinguished in sand or water before discarding."

The Red Cross is assisting two adults and three children who were displaced by the fire.

Scene video provided by the Overland Park Fire Department

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105-year-old woman rescued from Leavenworth County house fire

Posted: May 13, 2014 - 4:54am
Updated: May 13, 2014 - 6:24am


Firefighters in Tonganoxie rescued an elderly woman from her burning home just before 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Crews were called to the home at 116 East Sixth Street around 4:50 a.m..

Police arrived on the scene to report heavy smoke coming from the roof of the single story home. A family member, who lives next door, told officers that there was an elderly female in a front bedroom who was unable able to make it out on her own.

Firefighters arrived to report the fire was just inside the front door. After about five minutes, firefighters reported that the woman had been rescued from the structure and was with an EMS unit that was standing by at the scene.

Operation 100 has learned that the female is 105-years-old and she was transported by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A second EMS unit has been called to the scene to standby as firefighters work to extinguish the fire.

No one else was injured.

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PHOTO: One rescued from two-alarm house fire

Posted: April 18, 2014 - 7:15am
Updated: April 18, 2014 - 7:49am

Photo from the scene, provided by Olathe Fire
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Olathe firefighters have rescued a woman from inside her burning home.

Firefighters were called to the address in the 2000 block of E. Mohawk Drive shortly before 7 a.m..

Initial reports indicated that two people were trapped inside.

Olathe Fire Department Captain Mike Hall says one woman was rescued from the home by firefighters. A man and the family dog were both able to get out on their own.

Both residents are said to have very minor injuries.

Crews battled heavy fire and requested a second alarm response, as the fire spread into the attic of the two story home. A Battalion Chief at the scene reports that ammunition stored inside the home was firing off due to the heat of the fire.

A total of three Johnson County Med-Act ambulances were called to the scene.

Firefighters from the Overland Park fire department are also on the scene assisting.

A neighbor tells Operation 100 News that Johnson County Med-Act is at the home frequently for various different reasons.

The Red Cross has been called to assist the three adults who were displaced by the fire.

Check back with this report for updates.

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Woman critical after being rescued from JoCo house fire

Posted: December 21, 2013 - 12:59pm
Updated: December 22, 2013 - 1:14am

Aerial image of the area
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Firefighters from three area departments responded on a house fire Saturday afternoon.

A neighbor reported the fire at 11215 W. 70th Street in Shawnee around 12:45 p.m.. The address is near the intersection of 70th Street and Nieman Road.

Firefighters arrived to find flames visible inside the living room of the two story home.

While conducting an initial search of the residence, crews located a female down inside the room where the fire is believed to have started.

Firefighters rescued the woman and Johnson County Med-Act reported her to be in very critical condition when she was transported to Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Crews were able to bring the fire under control in about 15 minutes. No other injuries were reported.

Damages are estimated at $80,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire investigators found a smoke alarm inside the home but the battery had been removed.

The female resident, only identified as a female in her 50's, was transferred to the University of Kansas hospital's burn unit around 2:15 p.m..

Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands says, "Our thoughts are with the resident and her family right now. We will continue to investigate to find out how this fire started and why the resident was not able to get out."

The Shawnee Fire Department was assisted on the call by crews from the Overland Park Fire Department and Merriam Fire Department.

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SCENE PHOTO: Firefighters battle Lenexa apartment building fire

Posted: December 20, 2013 - 2:24pm
Updated: December 20, 2013 - 3:34pm

Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo
Not to be used in any form without permission
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Firefighters from Lenexa and Overland Park extinguished an apartment fire this afternoon.

Crews were called to the London House Apartments in the 9800 block of Buckingham Road, around 2:15 Friday afternoon. The apartment complex is just south of 95th Street, on the east side of Interstate 35.

A resident ran to the apartment complex clubhouse and reported a fire in the kitchen of his apartment.

Firefighters arrived about three minutes later to find visible smoke and fire through one window of the building. Crews reported heavy smoke from the floor to the ceiling of the second floor apartment, where the fire is believed to have originated.

The fire spread into the building's walls and to the third floor. The entire building is said to have smoke damage, from the basement to the third level.

Police and fire crews knocked on apartment doors to confirm that all residents of the building were aware of the fire and had made it outside.

Several cats and dogs were rescued from the building by firefighters.

The fire was reported to be under control at 3:33 p.m..

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and a damage estimate was not immediately available.

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Woman injured in two-alarm house fire dies

Posted: September 17, 2013 - 8:18pm
Updated: September 20, 2013 - 8:49pm

Update:

The Leawood Fire Department confirmed Friday morning that, 53-year-old, Diane Jakobe passed away as a result of the injuries she suffered in Tuesday's house fire.

Officials say the age of the home made the fire harder to extinguish. Firefighters found several layers of roofing, keeping the fire contained inside the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Original Report:

File Image - Leawood Fire Department's 'Rescue 32'
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A Leawood woman was critically injured when her house caught fire Tuesday evening.

The call was dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 9441 Meadow Lane, just west of Lee Boulevard and north of 95th Street, in Leawood. (Map below)

Fire crews reported flames visible from one corner of the home on their arrival and received reports that a woman lived in the home alone.

Crews quickly located an unresponsive woman and rescued her from the structure. Johnson County Med-Act reported that the woman was not breathing and began CPR. Med-Act transported the woman to an area hospital in critical condition.

A second alarm was dispatched, just after the woman was rescued, and all crews were ordered to evacuate from the structure due to the threat of the roof collapsing. Crews reported heavy fire in the homes attic with flames visible through the roof.

Aerial image of the scene's location
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Two firefighters were also injured, a Leawood Fire Department spokesperson said, "they might need a few stitches but, they were not seriously injured."

The fire was reported to be under control around 8:30 p.m.. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and a damage estimate was not immediately available.

The Leawood Fire Department was assisted by the Overland Park Fire Department and Consolidated Fire District No. 2.

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VIDEO: Olathe firefighters rescue family dog from an afternoon house fire

Posted: February 9, 2013 - 12:37am
Updated: February 9, 2013 - 12:56am

Olathe firefighters rescued a family's dog from a house fire on Friday afternoon.

Captain Mike Hall says the fire was reported just after 3 p.m. near 141st Street and S. Mur-Len Road. Crews worked for about 20 minutes to control the fire.

Firefighters rescued the family's Schnauzer, named Spicy, from the house and reunited the dog with the family, as seen in the provided video. The family also had two cats; one died in the fire and the second is still missing.

No one was home when the fire started and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available.

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Woman rescued after crashing vehicle into a tree and ravine

Posted: November 30, 2012 - 2:14am
Updated: November 30, 2012 - 5:43am

File photo of Shawnee Fire Department's Rescue 71

Firefighters from two area departments worked the scene of a single vehicle accident in Kansas City, Kansas this morning.

The accident was reported shortly before 2 a.m. on County Line Road between S. 59th Street and S. 63rd Street. On the Johnson County side, County Line Road is known as W. 47th Street, while S. 59th Street is Nieman Road, and S. 63rd Street is Quivira Road.

Shawnee Police arrived on the scene at 1:58 a.m., to report one vehicle had left the roadway and partially rolled over. Fire units from Kansas City, Kansas and Shawnee were both dispatched to the area.

Initial reports from the scene indicated that the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and then partially rolled into a ravine.

Shawnee Fire arrived on the scene to report the involved vehicle had sustained heavy damage in the crash and was occupied by one person.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire 'Heavy Rescue 1' and Shawnee Fire 'Rescue 71' responded to the scene for assistance in stabilizing the vehicle and extricating the driver. Crews from both Fire Departments worked for just over 20 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and extricate the driver. The vehicle's airbags deployed in the accident and the driver was wearing a seat belt.

The female driver, said to be in her early 50's, sustained non-life threatening injuries. She was transported by Kansas City, Kansas EMS to a Kansas City trauma center.

Kansas City, Kansas Police are investigating if alcohol may have played a role in the accident's cause.

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Six displaced, one injured, in two-alarm building fire

Posted: November 12, 2012 - 9:33am
Updated: November 12, 2012 - 3:48pm

Firefighters from the Overland Park Fire Department are on scene of a building fire this morning.

Video courtesy: Overland Park Fire Department

Crews were dispatched around 9:20 Monday to the Hawthorne Apartments at 5319 W. 121st Terrace in Overland Park.

Upon arrival at the scene firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the building. Further investigation led crews to report fire from one unit of the two story building.

Bystanders told crews there was possibly someone inside the building. One person was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation according to Jason Rhodes, Overland Park Fire Department's Media Manager.

Rhodes says, "firefighters used Compressed Air and Foam Systems (CAFS) to quickly knock down the bulk of the fire."

Investigators say improper disposal of fireplace material sparked the two-alarm blaze. A resident told investigators that he had used his fireplace yesterday, cleaned it out this morning and placed the ashes in a plastic container on the deck of his apartment. The plastic container is said to have failed and the fire was able to spread up the side of the building and into the attic.

One apartment was completely destroyed, according to officials, four others will be uninhabitable until renovations can be completed.

The Leawood Fire Department assisted with the incident.

Overland Park Fire officials declared the fire to be under control at 10:09 a.m. and was declared out at 10:30 a.m..

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross says they assisted six adults who were displaced by the fire.

The Overland Park Fire Department reminds the public to have your fireplace and furnace inspected annually by a professional. Also, ensure that you have working and well maintained smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector.

Fireplace ashes should be allowed to cool completely and then be placed in a tightly sealed metal container, at least 10 feet from any combustible material, and should be saturated with water. Ashes should never be dumped directly into a trash can.

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Firefighters rescue cat from early-morning fire

Posted: October 8, 2012 - 6:08am
Updated: October 9, 2012 - 12:48am

Lawrence Fire crews were dispatched on report of smoke alarms sounding at 312 Bowstring Drive at 5:46 Monday morning. The address is just north of the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Princeton Boulevard.

A caller to 911 reported visible smoke inside the residence. Police arrived at the scene to report flames visible from the south side of the home. Firefighters reported flames showing from the second floor of a two story, single family residence.

A statement released Monday afternoon says all occupants evacuated the structure prior to Fire Department arrival. The fire was quickly extinguished and an all clear under control was declared at 6:11 a.m..

Officials say one cat was rescued, however an additional cat succumbed from the conditions of the incident.

The Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross has been contacted to provide assistance for the displaced occupants.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and damage estimates are not yet available.

No injuries were reported.

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Firefighters rescue woman from Johnson County well

Posted: October 7, 2012 - 2:12pm

Updated: October 7, 2012 - 2:39pm

Firefighters from two area departments rescued a woman from a Johnson County well this afternoon.

Crews from the Merriam and Overland Park Fire Department's were called to an address in the 9800 block of Hocker Drive in Merriam at 1:56 Sunday afternoon.

Merriam Firefighters reported the victim, a 72-year-old female, fell into a 20 foot well, which contained approximately 10 feet of water. Crews were able to lower a flotation device to the woman until they could setup rescue equipment.

Officials say the woman was alert and talking to rescuers throughout the ordeal.

Crews had the woman removed from the well in under 10 minutes. She was transported by Johnson County Med-Act to an area trauma center to be checked out. Her injuries were not said to be serious.

Fire crews say they have covered the well.

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