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Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

As of Sept. 6, the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) had responded to 60 vacant structure fires in 2024 alone within Northeast Kansas City. This averages out to around six to seven fires per month within this area, according to KCFD Battalion Chief, Michael Hopkins. 

However, the month of November rivaled this amount — including Northeast’s most recent vacant property fire, which occurred on Nov. 18 at an uninhabited apartment structure (4400 Independence Ave). 

The U.S. Fire Administration defines a vacant building as an unoccupied structure, which possesses an interested owner in said property. Unlike an abandoned building, a vacancy additionally has current taxes. However, a property is abandoned if there is no present owner — which includes tax evasion and non-habitation of its residence. 

While many factors can play a role in a building’s vacancy or abandonment including foreclosures, natural disasters and bankruptcy, among others — more aggressive complications arise, not in the wake of these losses, but instead after — once said properties become vacant or abandoned. 

A property, which experiences vacancy or abandonment is at a greater risk for break-ins, which includes vandalization, illegal occupancy, and in extreme cases, a fire.

However, these vulnerabilities, which unoccupied structures face, can intensify throughout the winter months as individuals search for permanent shelter and warmth as temperatures decrease. 

For many, finding temporary refuge in a vacant or abandoned building, in an attempt to increase warmth or heat up dinner, will start a fire for usage inside the property — neglecting to put it out afterward. 

However, for neighbors or community members concerned or looking for vacant building fire prevention methods this winter, the U.S. Fire Administration has provided several fire proof recommendations. 

Monitor 

For those with a vacant or abandoned property nearby, observing said building and keeping an eye on it for any unusual activity will aid in fire prevention. Awareness from neighbors and community members of properties, which are unoccupied, remain essential in keeping the property and those around it out of harm’s way. 

Secure

The security of a property is a major determinant of its safety, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Any building — but particularly those vacant or abandoned — which is not latched or locked properly, is at a greater risk than one with suitable security measures. In extreme situations, this is accompanied with the inclusion of patrol officers to provide additional property security. A building’s security measures — including its effectiveness and methods for safety — should be evaluated during its property inspection, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. 

Board

For vacant and abandoned properties, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends boarding of windows and doors as an effective method in fire prevention and illegal occupancy. If a building is boarded, it can cause greater difficulty to enter its property, or prevent uninvited guests from entering at all. This can also protect a building from certain weather-related damages. 

Inspect and Mark

Inspections remain vital for any property to ensure it is up to code. However, continuing to inspect a vacant or abandoned property can lead to sustainability and longevity of an uninhabited property. This is additionally important as many vacant or abandoned structures can be hazardous for first responders. However, if properties receive inspections regularly, it can ensure not only the safety of neighboring homes, but also for that of first responders if they would need to enter the structure in an emergency. 

Along with inspecting the building, a vacant or abandoned building should also be marked following its inspection. This mark will provide first responders and firefighters with knowledge that the property is abandoned or vacant and that it did not pass its inspection. 

All Kansas City properties, which are vacant or foreclosed and not occupied by an owner, must be registered by the City of Kansas City between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 of each year, according to the City of Kansas City’s website. 

While there is no cost to register a property, each building must be re-registered for every year it is vacant. For more information on vacant property registration, or to register a vacant property, visit:https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/neighborhoods-housing-services/neighborhood-preservation/vacant-property-registration. 

311 Action Center is additionally a hotline for local requests and resources. For those looking to report a problem — including vacant building fires — request services or inquire on City services, 311 Action Center can be reached via phone at 311 or (816) 513-1313. Problems can additionally be reported through its myKCMO app — available for download at the App Store, Google Play or at: https://www.kcmo.gov/talk-to-us/mykcmo.