OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — After an apartment fire Monday in Overland Park left several people without a place to stay, one tenant’s employer is paying for the hotel stay while he is displaced.
Cas Banaszek, director of operations for the RB American Group, said the tenant is an employee at the Arby's restaurant across the street from Four Seasons Apartments on West 87th Street. The business is a part of the Flynn Restaurant Group, which has a fund for helping employees in times of need.
"We are able to step in and take care of our associates when bad things happen, be it a fire, be it a family illness," Banaszek said. "It's your family and that's what family does."
The fund was created by Flynn Restaurant Group Founder and CEO Greg Flynn. Employees can voluntarily contribute a small portion of their paychecks to the fund.
"More than 80 percent of our associates are involved with the plan," Banaszek said. "We've raised $3.4 million through this program, and we've been able to award more than 2,500 awards to those in need."
Fire crews arrived on scene around 9 p.m. Monday to find the fire in a second floor apartment at the complex. A woman inside the apartment where the fire started was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Investigators believe someone did not get rid of a cigarette properly, which started the fire.
Nearby neighbor Thelma Thomas said she saw smoke coming from the apartment while she was sitting on her balcony.
"I knew something was wrong because there were many fire trucks here," Thomas said. "I think it's sad. It really is sad. I hope the lady will be alright."
As tenants begin to pick up the pieces, Thomas said the fire brings to light a much bigger issue.
"I tell everybody who moves here that these apartments are old, get new smoke detectors in the house," Thomas said.
41 Action News reached out to property managers at Four Seasons to ask whether the tenant or property managers are responsible for making sure working smoke detectors are in all buildings, but the managers have not yet responded.
Overland Park Fire Department Public Information Officer Jason Rhodes said the department is investigating the complex's smoke detectors.
Rhodes said policies can differ from complex to complex, but he said tenants should always be proactive and make sure their detectors are working.
