Overview
- Fire crews battled a Saturday night blaze defensively due to structural concerns, later clearing the building with no injuries reported as the cause remains under investigation.
- Firefighters count five fires since early November at the complex, which developers say has been empty since late October.
- KCFD says many causes are undetermined or tied to makeshift warming or cooking fires used by people experiencing homelessness.
- Mayor Quinton Lucas called the fires unacceptable and told developers to secure the property before demolition as the city finalizes repair or demolition orders with owners.
- Developers say demolition evaluations begin next week with a goal to remove the 1960s-era buildings by late winter, while the city has committed $10 million and could invest up to $30 million toward the $275 million project.