Around 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Kansas City Missouri Fire Department (KCFD) responded to the 3500 block of Nicholson Ave. on reports of a structure fire at Pioneer Pallet’s warehouse.
As crews were arriving on scene, they were met with heavy smoke from a fire at a pallet company in Kansas City’s Northeast Industrial District. As crews were working offensively, they were quickly pulled out of the structure and began to fight defensively.
The middle of the structure eventually collapsed and fire continued to spread throughout the entire complex. Due to the severity of the blaze command eventually struck a 4th alarm and had requested the City of Gladstone, Fire/EMS and Kansas City Kansas Fire Department (KCKFD) for mutual aid.
Seven firefighters were treated and three were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
As of 10:30 p.m., fire crews remained on scene to put out hotspots.
Kansas City Fire Department spokesman Jason Spreitzer said about 160 firefighters were helping to put out the flames in an effort that he expected to last through the night.
There were no threats of hazardous materials catching on fire, Spreitzer said. He said firefighters protectively drenched a propane refilling station for forklifts in water.
It’s not yet known what caused the blaze. Investigators were waiting for the flames to die down before searching for more clues.
The area includes residential homes, a small baseball park and some industrial sites, including a commercial transportation business. The neighborhood is separated from downtown Kansas City by a rail line.
Spreitzer said nearby homes so far appear safe.