The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department is encouraging Wyandotte County residents to check their smoke alarms for dead batteries or other maintenance issues this weekend.

A working smoke alarm can save lives, as 66 percent of deaths caused by residential fires were in homes without a smoke alarm.

"Choose an annual date, such as the time change, when you will remember to maintain your smoke alarm in tip top condition," said Craig Duke, spokesperson and battalion chief for the department. "Check the manufacturer’s expiration date on the label, replace the batteries if needed, and clean dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely."

The department offers free smoke alarms to KCK residents in need. For more information about those alarms, contact (913) 573-5550.

Meanwhile, Duke offers three tips on what to do:

Testing -- Test each alarm once a month to make sure it's operating.  Testing is the only way to ensure it's working to protect you.  Push the test button and listen for the alarm.  If you can't reach the alarm, stand under it and push the test button with a broom handle.

Replacing Batteries -- If your smoke alarms are battery-operated, replace the batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.  Do this at least twice a year (an easy reminder -- change your clock, change your batteries), or when the alarm chirps, alerting you the battery power is low.  Replace the batteries immediately if you move into a new home.  Make sure no one disables your smoke alarms by borrowing batteries for other uses.

Cleaning -- Just as you clean your home, your smoke alarms need to be cleaned.  Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions.  Cobwebs and dust usually can be removed with a vacuum cleaner attachment.  If you are going to be doing work nearby that could send dust in the air, cover the alarm with a shield.  Also, shield the alarm if you are painting around it, and never paint on it.  Remove the shield promptly after work is completed.
 

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department is investigating three intentional fires set at three downtown Kansas City, Kan., homes.

The department is looking at three fires located in the same area.

• The first reported fire happened at 2040 N. 9th Street. The fire department responded to the fire just before 7:30 p.m. The fire caused roughly $10,000 of damage.

• The second fire at 1131 Rowland was reported to the KCKFD after 8 p.m. "Fire crews on the scene within two minutes reported smoke coming from the structure," said KCKFD Battalion Chief Craig Duke. "Fire located in center of living room and quickly extinguished. Fire Investigator called to scene." About $100 of damage was caused.

• The third fire, lcoated at 2024 N. 9th Street, was reported to the KCKFD at 9:30 p.m. It caused $1,000 of damage and the home was vacant. Duke said the fire was under control within seven minutes.

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A fire in Kansas City, Kan., resulted in $45,000 of damage.

The fire happened after 5 p.m. at 2641 Grandview Blvd. It caused $30,000 of property damage and about $15,000 was lost in property.

Everyone had evacuated the home. There were no injuries. The fire was in a higher story in the building.

According to Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Duke, the fire was caused by a candle that fell of the table.

"All occupants had evacuated the area," Duke said. "Fire was in the upper level bedroom. Fire was under control within 20 minutes."

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Kansas City, Kan., firefighters have been dispatched to an apartment fire at 657 S. 71st Terrace.

No additional information available right now. Multiple units have been dispatched to the scene, however.

(UPDATE 4:14 p.m.) : Firefighters are now on the scene.

(UPDATE 4:22 p.m.) : The fire is out at the scene. The fire was at Apartment 8 in the complex at 657 S. 72nd Terrace, not 71st Terrace. No injuries are reported.

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A Kansas City, Kan., firefighter was injured this morning while responding to a fire at 3126 Parallel Pkwy.

The fire at the home caused about $3,000 in damage.

The firefighter injured a leg and was transported to the hospital.

"Fire crews on the scene within two minutes reported smoke coming from a one story wood framed structure," said Craig Duke, battalion chief and spokesperson for the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department. "Primary search indicated structure was vacant. Crews had fire under control within 10 minutes."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The firefighter was treated than released from duty.

There were no working smoke detectors at the home.

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A fire at 325 N. 32nd Street in Kansas City, Kan., caused $20,000 in property damage and $10,000 worth of contents were lost.

The fire happened this morning just after 9 a.m. at a residential structure fire.

The cause of the fire proved to be unintentional, as it ignited from an electrical source.

"Crews on the scene within four minutes reported smoke coming from a one story wood frame structure," said Craig Duke, battalion chief and spokesperson for the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department. "Fire located in bedroom and bathroom area. Fire was brought under control within 12 minutes."

The Board of Public Utilities was called to shut off utilities.

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Kansas City, Kan., firefighters took on two fires Monday that caused thousands of dollars of damage.

The first fire, located at 1852 Glendale, caused roughly $15,000 of damage in property and contents. The duplex fire was caused by someone making plumbing repairs. The repairs involved soldering copper lines.

Everyone on both sides of the duplex evacuated safely.

"Fire crews on the scene within three minutes reported smoke coming from the roof of a duplex," said Craig Duke, spokesperson and battalion chief for the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department. "All occupants on both sides had self evacuated. Fire was located in the wall area (and the) fire was under control within 15 minutes."

The fire was reported at around 7 p.m. on Monday.

Hours later, firefighters took on a blaze at 3020 S. 9th Street in KCK.

Like the previous fire, no one was hurt. Damage to both property and contents are estimated at $10,000.

"Fire crews on the scene within six minutes reported light smoke coming from the attic area of a one story wood frame structure," Duke said. "All occupants had self evacuated. Fire was located in the attic area."

Duke said the fire was within control in 15 minutes. A family of two adults and one child was aided by the Red Cross.

A home fire on Saturday resulted in $25,000 worth of property damage.

Kansas City, Kan., firefighters responded to the fire at 1515 Wood Avenue just after midnight on Saturday.

No one was injured in the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.

Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief and spokesperson Craig Duke said no one was inside the house when firefighters arrived.

"Fire crews on the scene within two minutes reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of a one story wood framed structure," Duke said. "Primary search indicated occupants were not at home, crews had fire under control within 20 minutes."

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A Kansas City, Kan, firefighter was injured this weekend after a set of steps collapsed during a fire response.

Firefighters responded to a fire Sunday evening at 1721 Waverly. The fire caused about $12,000 in damage.

Craig Duke, spokesperson and Battalion Chief for the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department, said the set of rear steps collapsed inside the home, causing the firefighter ton injure a shoulder and wrist.

"Fire crews on the scene within four minutes reported heavy smoke coming from a one-story wood framed residential structure," Duke said. "All occupants had self evacuated. Fire in basement had extended to first floor and attic area. Crews were able to contain fire to rear of structure."

The cause of fire remains under investigation. The firefighter was evaluated at a local hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

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Annicka Martinez, a Kansas City, Kan., woman who was sought for questioning concerning an area homicide, has been found dead in Kansas City, Mo.

Her remains were identified today.

Earlier this month, her body was found in a burned car.

Full story from KMBC Channel 9.

A fire at 1331 Webster caused roughly $20,000 in damage Monday night.

The fire was reported to to the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department at around 10:30 p.m. Monday. No one was injured as the home was vaccant.

"Fire crews arrived on scene within three minutes reported smoke showing from a one story wood frame structure, fire coming from the attic area," said Craig Duke, spokesperson and Battalion Chief for the KCKFD. "Crews had fire under control within 15 minutes. "

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A Kansas City, Kan., firefighter was injured after responding to a fire this morning at 1124 S. 34th Street.

The fire, which remains under investigation, was reported just after 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire happened at a residential home and caused about $45,000 in damage.

One firefighter was injured at the scene when a second floor railing at the game gave away, causing the firefighter to fall 15 feet on a pool table.

"Fire crews on the scene within two minutes reported heavy smoke coming from the structure," said Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Duke. "Crews made an aggressive interior attack while performing primary search as indications were it was an occupied structure. Crews determined occupants were not home."

The American Red Cross and Board of Public Utilities were called to help out at the scene.

The firefighter will remain in the hospital overnight for observation. However, injuries were not classified as "life threatening."

The fatality victims of today's fire on 1856 N. 32nd Street have been identified as two-year-old male Dataveion Breashears and one-year-old female Jaliyah Breashears.

The fire was reported to the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department just after 3 a.m. this morning. When the fire department arrived on the scene, Kansas City, Kan., police officers were administering CPR to the two children.

A preliminary autopsy report indicates the children died of smoke inhalation and the inhalation of toxic gases.

A tough twist – the family had smoke detectors, but they failed to work when the fire ignited.

"Fire crews found a small fire in second floor rear bedroom," said Craig Duke, spokesperson and Battalion Chief for the KCKFD.

The fire caused $2,500 in damage and there were no other injuries at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A house fire on 32nd Street and Garfield Avenue killed a one-year-old and two-year-old.

The fire happened at 3 a.m. this morning on the block. Four other people in the home were able to escape. But after the two children were taken to the hospital, they died. They were taken to the hospital after two police officers performed CPR on them.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department.

KMBC Channel 9 has a video report of the scene.

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department has released information concerning the fatality victim of this weekend's fire.

Ronando Lecia died of smoke inhalation during the fire at 917 Argentine Boulevard on Saturday. Lecia was 81 years old.