A massive early morning fire breaks out at the Independence Ridge Apartments

On January 22, 2025By Littum

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) – At 6 a.m., more than an hour before sunrise Wednesday, a massive fire was called in from the Independence Ridge Apartment Complex.

Independence Ridge is located just north of Independence Center and 39th Street in Independence, Mo.

There are several streets east of the complex that are closed to traffic.

KCTV5 spoke with Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker just 15 minutes after the fire was called – at that time there were no reports of any injuries despite the large extent of the fire.

Several units from several cities arrived on the scene to assist in the operations.

One resident who escaped – in his words “just in time” – said he saw the middle floor evacuate and then the bottom floor. He also says a neighbor told him he put his breakfast in the oven and when he came back the kitchen was on fire, which Fire Chief Walker confirmed.

WATCH: LIVE INTERVIEW WITH RESIDENT

Resident in apartment fire talks about his escape

Chief Jimmy Walker reiterated that there are still no known injuries at this time, but the entire building is not accessible due to severe damage.

In all Independence Fire evacuated six people, and as of 8 in the morning the fire is said to be out.

The Red Cross is on the scene and was told to be ready to assist up to 23 units.

There were working smoke detectors on site.

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