15 homeless after partial building collapse in KCK

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Fifteen people were left homeless after a partial building collapse that happened Sunday night.

Police said the collapse happened at an abandoned building in the 1200 block of North 18th Street. Attached to that building is the 18th Street Plaza Apartments where 15 people lived and who are now being forced out.

“We came home last night about 2 a.m. and they said the building next to ours, the roof had caved in,” said Erin Mathews, resident.

It’s unclear exactly what caused the damage, but Kansas City Assistant Fire Chief Craig Duke has an idea.

“It looks like the building wasn’t secured from the elements over the winter, leaking roof, no windows,” he said. “Basically, the building succumbed to the elements and made the structure weak.”

Duke said the buildings will be destroyed. Bids for the demolition are being accepted and work will begin later Monday.

Matthews approves of the demolition.

“They’ve been condemned for over a year or so,” she said. “They just need to be torn down so it won’t happen again and nobody would be injured.”

The Red Cross will pay for one night at a hotel to help those left homeless by the collapse.