‘Splash of Life’ building partially collapses, neighbors concerned after large fire
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A building saved from demolition more than two years ago suffered significant damage on Friday morning.
Kansas City Fire Department firefighters responded to the commercial building at about 6:50 a.m. When they arrived, firefighters found the Splash of Life building at Troost Avenue and East 44th Street under heavy smoke.
A section of the rear of the building collapsed as firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading.
No injuries were reported, as of 11:00 a.m.
A vacant house also caught on fire and has significant damage. A power pole and lines were damaged as well. As of 12 p.m., energy crews were working to restore the power.
“I was getting ready to get to get in the shower actually and then all of the sudden the power blew,” said Melanie Pierce, who was evacuated from her home due to the fire.
KCFD said this is not the first time it has responded to the building.
”We’ve been in it several times before on fires smaller fires,” said Kansas City Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. He added, “The amount of fire we had this morning we immediately went defensive on it.“
Now KCFD is investigating the fire.
“Where the bulk of the fire was is significantly damaged so it will probably be very hard to tell exactly what started this fire,” said Hopkins.
He said there were a lot of items inside the building, making it difficult to get in when they arrived.
“All it would take is a small fire to make it all go up,” said Historic Manheim Park Association Board Member, Bill Drummond.
Splash of Life provides food and clothes to those in need, but it has faced concerns from neighbors.
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Living in the neighborhood for years, Drummond said this building has created a lot of challenges for the community, but there are other factors causing problems too.
“It is terrifying honestly I’m scared for our building, I’m glad no one is inside right now but you know it shouldn’t have to come to that,” said Drummond.
Dontavious Young, who lives in the area, owns a building and business next to the pink building. He rushed over as soon as he heard what happened.
“It is terrifying, honestly. I’m scared for our building. I’m glad no one is inside right now, but you know it shouldn’t have to come to that,” said Dontavious Young.
He said he had complained to the city before about crime and problems at the building.
“The more I think about it, the more I’m just enraged that no one does anything, no matter how much I complain. People just say ‘It is pink! It is pink! We need things like this in the community. This is beautiful, there are murals on it.’ That is all that matters, apparently. They don’t care what things actually do for the community,” said Young.
He’s hoping the city takes action after this fire.
“The community didn’t have to get hurt,” said Young.
Now, they wait to see what happens when Dangerous Buildings inspects the structure.
“We as a neighborhood we will clean up the sight and we will help our neighbors who were already here,” said Drummond.
In a statement to KCTV5 Friday, the owner of Splash of Life said there needs to be a complete investigation into the fire as he feels it is suspicious.
He said he is looking to get help from the community as he figures out what is next for the pink building.
KCFD is still determining the cause of the fire.
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