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Apartment building near 55th and Everett catches fire

Firefighters responded to a fire at an apartment building under construction near 55th and Everett overnight. It appeared to be an explosion, but that is still under investigation, according to a Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department spokesman. There were no injuries. (Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department photo)

An apartment building under construction near 55th and Everett caught fire overnight, according to the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department spokesman.

While there appeared to be an explosion at the site, that is still under investigation, according to the spokesman. There were no injuries.

Residents at nearby apartments were evacuated, the spokesman said.

The fire, originally reported at 11:07 p.m. Sunday, reignited at 3:12 a.m. and firefighters responded again, according to Assistant Chief James (Morris) Letcher, Fire Department spokesman.

When firefighters arrived after the initial call, they saw flames coming from the multi-family apartment building, according to the spokesman. They used hand lines and an aerial fire stream to attack the fire.

Because of the instability of the building, a defensive fire attack was set up, and a second alarm was called, the spokesman stated. Firefighters created a collapse zone around it.

Heavy rescue and Hazmat crews assisted with structural collapse and an odor-like smell on the scene, according to the spokesman.

Nearby apartments were evacuated and checked for gas levels, the spokesman stated. The Board of Public Utilities and Atmos gas companies were called to disconnect the utilities, according to the spokesman.

At 3:12 a.m., emergency calls were received about the fire rekindling. Firefighters saw flames showing from the rear of the building, the spokesman stated. Defensive firefighting techniques were continued, using an aerial fire stream and two hand lines.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and not yet determined, Letcher said.

The estimated damage to the property was about $300,000, according to the Fire Department.

Windy today, high near 58

Today’s weather will be windy, with a high near 58, according to the National Weather Service.

Winds could gust as high as 29 mph today, the weather service said.

A strong upper-level storm system moved through Nebraska and South Dakota early this morning, and will bring a cold front into Kansas this morning. Winds are increasing as the storm system slowly moves to the east, according to the weather service.

Clouds may spread through the area by the afternoon, having an effect on temperature, the weather service said.

Quiet weather is expected Tuesday and Wednesday as the storm system moves away from the area, according to the weather service. By Wednesday evening, another cold front will move into the area, possibly bringing rain. Better chances for rain will be Thursday.

Thursday night and early Friday morning, the low could be 32 degrees, at the freezing point, the weather service said, but rain is expected to be over before Thursday night.

Next weekend, there may be near-normal temperatures for this time of year, but that could change next week as much colder air is expected to move into the area, according to the weather service.

The Missouri River at Parkville, where the gauge is on I-435 over the Missouri River between Wyandotte and Platte counties, is in action stage and is below flood stage.

Today, there will be increasing clouds, with a high near 58, the weather service said. It will be breezy, with a west wind of 11 to 21 mph, gusting as high as 29 mph.

Tonight, It will be partly cloudy, with a low of 41 and a west wind of 11 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be sunny with a high near 60 and a west wind of 13 to 17 mph, gusting to 26 mph, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 43 and a west wind of 5 to 7 mph, becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 67 and a southwest wind of 5 to 9 mph, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, there is a 20 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m., with a low of 42, according to the weather service.

Thursday, there will be a 30 percent chance of rain before 1 p.m., with a high near 49, the weather service said.

Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 32, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be sunny, with a high near 55, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 37, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 61, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 43, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 64, the weather service.

The Missouri River at Parkville, where the gauge is on I-435 over the Missouri River between Wyandotte and Platte counties, is in action stage and is below flood stage.

Hamlin wins at Kansas Speedway on late restart

by Brian Turrel

Denny Hamlin won Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at the Kansas Speedway, fending off Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch in a single-lap restart, needed after a wreck on a previous restart.

After the race, Hamlin credited crew chief Chris Gabeheart for making adjustments to give him a “dominant car” in the second half of the race. Hamlin overtook Martin Truex Jr. shortly after the end of the race’s second stage in lap 160.

Hamlin also credited Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch with a well-timed push on the restart that positioned him to get out in front of the field and protect his lead.

Chase Elliott finished second, earning just enough points to edge Brad Keselowski for the final spot to advance in the NASCAR playoffs. Kyle Busch finished third.