KCFD forced to evacuate Parade Park townhome in weekend blaze

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Firefighters in Kansas City were forced to evacuate a home they were battling an intense blaze in when the roof became unstable.

The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department said just after 8:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, emergency crews were called to the area of Woodland Ave. and E. 16th St., near the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy, with reports of a house fire in the Parade Park Townhome Complex.

When first responders arrived, they found flames bursting from a 2-story 4-plex townhome. After an initial attack from inside the building, firefighters were forced to evacuate as the roof became unstable.

Crews noted that fly-pipe operations were started as a search of the building came back all-clear. The blaze was brought under control just after 8:25 p.m.

The building, believed to be vacant by first responders, is the future site for a new development. The city has spent nearly $20 million on the future of Parade Park Homes.

KCFD Chief Michael Hopkins says vacant fires are tough because they don’t know the state of the building. Crews only located the fire because they saw a smoke column coming from the area.

Hopkins says they want residents to keep an eye on vacant structures in hopes of preventing future fires at the site.

“Residents of the area definitely can keep an eye on the property. If you see people coming in and out of the buildings that shouldn’t be, make sure you’re reporting that through 311, and, if you see illegal activity, go ahead and call 911 and report it to PD,” he said.

The first phase of the new townhomes is expected to be completed in 2027. A few residents still live at the Parade Park Homes, but not many.

Hopkins says the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing. It is believed someone started it, whether by accident or intentionally has not been determined.

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