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The fire was reported around 6 a.m. at the Indy Ridge Apartments
in Independence. The victims, including children ages 3 and 8,
were found after the flames were extinguished, Independence Fire
Chief Jimmy Walker said during a news conference.
“It is a sad day for the community," Walker said. "We will pull
together.”
Walker said it damaged two dozen units. Fire crews spent four
hours at the complex battling the blaze and putting out hot
spots with winds gusting at speeds up to 24 mph and temperatures
in the 20s.
Walker declined to release the names of the victims, saying
their relatives are still being notified. He said 32 others were
displaced, and two firefighters also suffered burns. The Red
Cross has set up an emergency shelter.
Carissa Schulke told The Kansas City Star that she was awakened
by the sounds of popping before hearing sirens.
“All of a sudden, they didn’t even knock on my door, they just
busted in, ‘Hey you need to get out, you need to get out,’”
Schulke recalled, as she stood outside in the cold with her dog
shivering as firefighters battled the blaze.
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