KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fire investigators say Monday morning's high winds caused a power pole to land an a south Kansas City convenience store, causing a fire to break out.
When 41 Action News crew arrived just after 11 a.m. at the Shop-N-Go at 85th Street and Holmes, heavy smoke was already pouring out from the roof.
An employee, who did not want to go on camera, said he was working inside when he heard a loud bang. Minutes alter, there were flames coming from the roof. He called 911 and got out of the building safely.
Fire officials said Monday's high winds are to blame.
"I think what happened was the wind blew a power pole over with the transformers on top of the roof and the transformers caught on fire, which caught the roof on fire," said Matt Newton, a KCFD Battalion Chief.
Two transformers blew and one caught fire.
There is smoke damage inside the storm. Other stores around the Shop-N-Go closed for the day due to power being shut off.
Newton said it was difficult for his crews, due to the weather.
"Because the particular power pole had two transformers on it and it's fed from multiple directions, we have to make sure, in the wind with lines down, it's not being backfed," he said. "The safety of the crews is important," said Newton.
Power crews are currently working to get the transformer off the roof of the building.
