Northeast News
May 13, 2011

Flames and thick smoke billowed out of 2609 Independence Blvd. Thursday afternoon and Kansas City firefighters continued to hose down hot spots through the early evening hours. The area is now roped off with yellow police tape.

Damages are estimated at $750,000 and Kansas City Fire Department has concluded its investigation. Cause of the fire is undetermined, but investigators did not find evidence to support or suspect arson.

The property, the former Villa Capri Restaurant and Vista Theater, is home to a number of retail shops on the first floor and apartments on the second floor.

Tour the World Business Crawl, which will tour sections of Independence Boulevard and other areas in Northeast, has not been cancelled and will go on as planned this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.