Two deadly house fires under investigation in Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A troubling trend builds, as first responders in Independence respond to two fatal fires since Saturday morning.

One of the fires took the life of a 12-year old boy. That happened Saturday morning, according to neighbors near E. Salisbury Road and N. Rogers Street.

An unrelated fire from Monday morning also takes a man’s life, according to Independence firefighters, bringing this year’s total of people killed in fires to four.

One long-term firefighter in Independence believes that’s the highest number of a deadly fires in that city in a single year. Of those four fatal fires, two have taken the lives of children. Firefighters are mourning these losses, and expressing concern for their own mental health.

“Our hearts go out to them,” Independence Fire Battalion Chief Eric Michel said.

Monday’s fire started around 11:30 a.m. according to Chief Michel. Independence fire engines were called to a home off S. Alexander Road, which sits east of U.S. Highway 291.

Michel said his crew could see smoke in the air when they arrived, and while their first search of the home didn’t show anyone had been inside, a second look revealed a man’s body.

“Next-in crews went in and did a search of the house, and it came up negative. They didn’t find anybody inside. They went into extinguishment and overhaul operations and they did find a a deceased party,” Michel said.

Further west, at the E. Salisbury Road scene, neighbors are mourning the loss of that 12-year old boy. Firefighters believe he died from smoke inhalation. Neighbors are mourning the child’s death.

“When I found out, it was a sad thing,” Mike Ford, a neighbor, said. “We were all out here this morning with the kids at the bus stop. I don’t think some of them even knew yet. All the moms and dads were out here talking.”

Michel said the home off E. Salisbury Road had no working smoke detectors. He cites research that when well-maintained, a smoke detector will sound within 16 seconds of smoke detection.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office was on the scene at the S. Alexander Road home on Monday afternoon. The causes of both fires are still being investigated.

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