By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
May 18, 2011

Flames and thick smoke billowed out of 2609 Independence Blvd. May 12 at 1:30 p.m. Motorists reported spotting the smoke from miles away and Kansas City firefighters continued to hose down hot spots through the early evening hours.

Above, Kansas City firefighters battle a blaze at 2609 Independence Blvd. Thursday, May 12. Michael Bushnell

A chain-link fence now blocks off the 2600 block of Independence Boulevard. Damages are estimated at $750,000 and Kansas City Fire Department has concluded its investigation. Cause of the fire is undetermined and investigators did not find evidence to support or suspect arson.

The building, formerly the Villa Capri Restaurant and Vista Theater, houses a number of retail shops on the first floor and apartments on the second floor.

Several of the blocked-off businesses planned to participate in the Tour the World Business Crawl Saturday, May 14.

“My heart breaks for the families that are involved in those businesses,” Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Bobbi Baker-Hughes said. “It’s a huge loss for them as well as the community.

“Hopefully, we will be able to open a door to the future. We need to move forward and that’s what the plan is.”