KANSAS CITY, Mo. - At least four people escaped from apartments at 42nd Street and Linwood when a fire started Sunday around 9:30 in the morning.
Everyone made it out safely according to residents and KCFD, however, there was a waiting period as people rushed out of the burning home.
"That’s what I was worried about. I didn’t know if my grandma was out of the building. I was scared," explained Jason Hubbard, who lives in the apartments, along with his grandparents and a woman named Mary.
His grandmother Patricia Ingram said she saw the fire on the next door neighbor's stove, grabbed a hose and tried to put it out.
"Survival mode," explained Ingram. "I wanted that fire out."
Once the fire department got there, they took over. However, two nearby fire hydrants didn't work.
"That’s very frustrating, yes it is. It’s upsetting," explained Hubbard.
Battalion Chief Kevin hunt said the department does flow tests once a year, but sometimes hydrants don't work.
He estimated crews were pumping water from about 700 feet out, which was hard for residents to watch.
Hunt said this did not slow them down. He said tankers carry water and crews drill pulling hose.
Meanwhile, family and friends would like to see more regular checks put into place.
"The city should be responsible for that schedule and it being maintained. The fire department is not at fault here, but it would do well to address this problem," explained Thomas Bibbs, family friend of the Ingrams and president of the Palestine Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Firefighters were also able to rescue a kitten, though several others are missing.
Ingram said she wants to get "Lucky" an adopted family.
Ingram said the apartment has been in her family for 50 years, and they would like for construction or restoration crews to find a way for them to still stay there.
