A Kansas City, Kansas, resident suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation in an apartment fire Saturday night at Rainbow Ridge apartments, 3550 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.
Five people were rescued from balconies by ground ladders, according to information from the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department.
Three victims were taken by emergency medical services to the hospital, with two of the victims noncritical. One was critical and suffered severe burns and inhalation injury, the spokesman stated.
From 15 to 20 residents were displaced from their apartments, the fire department stated.
One cat was rescued from the second floor, while another cat was found dead on the third floor, the spokesman stated.
Fire crews were sent to the three-floor apartment complex, and the fire was upgraded after reports were received of people trapped, the Fire Department spokesman stated.
The call went out from dispatch about 11 p.m. Saturday. The fire was under control at 11:24 p.m. Saturday, a Fire Department spokesman stated.
Heavy fire damage occurred to an apartment on the second floor and the apartment directly above on the third floor, according to the spokesman. Fire crews contained the fire to those apartments and prevented fire in other apartments, the spokesman stated.
Power and gas to the building was shut off, displacing 15 to 20 people. The Red Cross was there to assist with displaced residents.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire. No firefighters were injured, KCKFD stated.
“Rapid response and decisive actions by firefighters saved lives last night and prevented the fire from spreading to other apartments. It is tragic that people were displaced from their homes, but we are grateful that no lives were lost. Often times, things can be replaced … but you can never replace a life,” stated Scott Schaunaman, Fire Department spokesman.
This story has been updated.