Flames quickly consumed the Perfect Pallets production facility on Nicholson Trafficway in the city’s East Bottoms area


Shortly after noon today, Kansas City, MO Firefighters responded to a structure fire at the Perfect Pallets manufacturing facility in the 3500 block of Nicholson Trafficway in the East Bottoms area of Kansas City.

The call was quickly upgraded to two alarms based on the intensity of the fire when the initial crews arrived. Shortly after a third alarm was called in bringing more firefighters and equipment to the scene.


Based on the intensity of the flames, and the amount of combustible material on site, firefighters
quickly took a defensive stance. According to KCFD Public Information Officer Jason Spreitzer, all of the employees of the business made it out safely. A neighboring business to the east was evacuated for safety reasons as well. One firefighter was transported by EMS for heat exposure. No other injuries were reported as of 2pm this afternoon.


“As you can tell from the intense heat, all of the pallets in the yard are lit up,” said Spreitzer. “We have a three alarm fire, with the intensity of the heat, the homes here are considered safe for right now. “We’re continuing to monitor the situation for the safety of everyone involved.”


“We have over 160 people on site right now including our HazMat team and we’re monitoring conditions on a minute by minute basis.”

Also on the scene was the department’s new drone that was being used to monitor all aspects of the fire from a safe distance overhead. According to Spreitzer, the drone can monitor heat intensity, temperatures and offer overhead views of the fire not available to firefighters on the
ground.


The pillar of smoke could be seen as far away as I-435 and Nall to the south and 92 highway to the north. Vehicles clogged streets near the fire as well as along the bluffs above, looking for a good vantage point from which to watch the flames.

Retired KCPD officer Kevin Huken sent this picture of the smoke column visible from I-435 and Nall Avenue in southern Johnson County, KS.

The cause of the blaze is currently unknown. As soon as the fire is out, which firefighters said will be a while, Fire Investigators will take over to determine a cause for the blaze. The company has been there for over twenty five years. Prior to the Pallet Company it was a terminal for Campbell’s 66 Express, a regional
trucking company.