This morning just after 6:00 a.m., Kansas City, Missouri Fire Fighters  responded to an apartment building blaze in the 500 block of Benton Boulevard, just north of Independence Avenue.

Upon arrival firefighters almost immediately took a defensive stance due to collapse danger. The building immediately south of the burning building was reported to have two legal tenants who were evacuated for safety reasons. 

According to the property owner the building was confirmed vacant at the time of the fire. No Injuries were reported.

The building owner stated that a group of squatters had been asked to leave the property earlier this week. Following their departure the building was re-secured.

Firefighters maintained a defensive stance for over an hour. Following an upper wall collapse, water was once again directed at the flames.