KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two Kansas City Missouri firefighters were injured while battling a fire at an historic mansion on Saturday.
The early-morning fire near 37th and Madison in the Roanoke neighborhood destroyed the 100-year-old Jarboe Mansion. Fire officials say that the firefighters sustained minor injuries after falling when a staircase inside the home collapsed.
One female resident of the home was taken to an area hospital after she was trapped by fire and smoke on the second floor. Her injuries are described as non-life threatening.
Barbara Eichorn told FOX 4 that her grandparent used to own the home. It was built by H.L. Jarboe—a name familiar to many Kansas Citians.
“My granddad was president of the Drovers Bank. He also was in the American Royal,” said Eichhorn. She says that watching the home burn was almost too much to handle.
“I’ve been crying,” she said. “It’s very distressing. All the grandkids, everybody, this is our home. This is the Grandma Jarboe’s home.”
A neighbor out walking his dog saw the smoke, and had his wife call 911.
Batallion Chief Brian Trickey with the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department said quick thinking by residents helped them get to the trapped woman inside faster.
“We just need to watch out for our neighbors when things like that are happening, everyone just needs to pitch in and do the right thing,” said Trickey.
The fire is believed to have started on the second floor, but there is still no word on the cause.
