
Dorri Partain
Managing Editor
BREAKING— The Kansas City Fire Department responded to the scene of an accident at 9:10 p.m., on Thursday, June 5. While multiple occupants were injured and taken to the hospital, the aftermath of this collison left a gaping hole in the front of a business building at 4836 E. Ninth St. Owned by Northeast resident Dennis Hammontree, the building served as storage and the business address for H & H Plumbing. In a phone interview, Hammontree shared that the building was damaged very heavily, with a 12 to 15 foot opening in the center of the building.
“The impact moved the building a few feet,” said Hammontree. At this time, an inspector with Kansas City’s Dangerous Buildings and Demolitions department will determine if the building can be repaired or if it is a total loss, he added. The collision took out the gas meter in front of the building, shirred the utility pole, and ruptured the water line inside.
Hammontree told the Northeast News he bought the building for $10,000 about 15 years ago and wasn’t able to get insurance coverage. He was told he will not be able to enter the property to remove any items stored inside, once he has boarded it up.
The Kansas City Police Department has not issued a media statement, but Hammontree shared he was told this accident was the end result of a police chase.
As for the future of the building, Hammontree stated, “‘I’ll get it handled, one way or another.”
The Northeast News will provide more information as it becomes available.