KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Firefighters confirmed Tuesday that the body of a woman who perished in a large house fire has been located in the basement of the home.
A source within the fire investigation previously told FOX 4 on Monday evening that the body of Susanna Herrera had been found, but not recovered due to conditions in the basement area. However, afternoon on Tuesday the fire chief of the Kansas City Fire Department confirmed a body had been found.
The fire took place Sunday night at a house on 123rd Terrace and Wornall Road. It was an extremely intense blaze when firefighters arrived at the house in south Kansas City around six o’clock Sunday.
Family said Susanna Herrera, known by nickname “Sue Sue”, got trapped in the home and also said the blaze was sparked by a cigarette. Her cousin, Al Herrera, told FOX 4 that Susanna’s mother smelled smoke and went to the basement to investigate.
“Opened up the bedroom door, smoke billowed out, she told Sue Sue to follow her. Sue Sue ran the opposite direction,” Al said. “That was the last they saw of Sue Sue.”
A firefighter suffered second-degree burns while battling a house fire at a Kansas City home. The firefighter, identified as Capt. Charlie Cashen by the Kansas City Fire Department, was recovering Monday morning after suffering second degree burns to his hands and arms. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Cpt. Bashen is a 30 year veteran of the fire department.
Cpt. Cashen’s injury ended up being just one of several setbacks firefighters faced as they tried to find a person believed to be trapped inside the house.
Ceilings and floors began caving in, so firefighters had to evacuate and wait until they could make sure it would be safe to go back inside. Heaters were been placed in the basement to aid recovery efforts and protect investigators from frigid conditions.
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