March 22, 2020

By Assistant Chief Jim Eden
Lee’s Summit Fire Department

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, at 4:27 p.m. the Lee’s Summit Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 Block of SW Donovan Road. The occupant of unit reported hearing an “explosion” in the basement and called 911 after seeing smoke.

When the fire department arrived, smoke was visible from one unit of a two-story fourplex. The occupant of the fire building was outside and the remaining units were being evacuated. Firefighters entered the fourplex and extinguished a fire involving combustible items in the basement utility room.  A search of the entire building confirmed no one was inside and the fire had not spread from room of origin. The incident was under control by 4:49 p.m.

The majority of smoke and fire damage was contained to one unit of the fourplex with minor smoke damage to an adjacent unit. All but the unit of origin were able to be reoccupied.

The fire originated in combustible items next to the water heater. The exact cause of the fire is undetermined.