Kansas City firefighters die in apartment fire

Two firefighters have died from injuries suffered while battling an apartment fire in Kansas City.

Firefighters arrived at the building on the city’s northeast side at about 7:30 p.m. Monday. Fire Chief Paul Berardi says firefighters rescued two people in the building that included apartments.

Investigators said the building was determined to be structurally unsafe and the firefighters were in the process of getting themselves out when a wall collapsed. He tells the newspaper two firefighters have died. Two firefighters died. None of the four was immediately identified.

The extent of injuries to the two other firefighter was not disclosed.

Fire officials said that they had last seen such an incident in 1988 when an explosion at a construction site killed six firemen.

Firefighters on the scene said the two were not injured. “I was laying down and heard somebody yell, ‘Everybody get out, ‘ ” Lee reportedly said, adding: “I opened my door and there was smoke really bad”.

Officials on scene told KMBC 9 News at least three firefighters were taken to hospitals.

It wasn’t immediately clear what started the fire. One was expected to be released, while the other was to be kept overnight for observation. Berardi said immediate family members have been notified, but word was still getting out to extended family.