PHOTOS: Police rescue one, evacuate others from Thursday morning apartment fire

Posted: March 11, 2021 - 11:04 a.m.

Overland Park Police rescued one person and evacuated several others after a fire broke out in the Perry 81 Apartments on Thursday morning. Emergency crews were called to the building at 8025 Perry Street at 7:55 a.m.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke from the two-story building.
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All photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

"First fire units on the scene reported heavy smoke showing from the two-story apartment building with Overland Park Police effecting rescues and evacuations," said Jason Rhodes, Media Manager for the Overland Park Fire Department.

The fire is believed to have started in a second-floor unit and then spread to the building's attic.

Firefighters from Lenexa and Shawnee were called in to assist as part of a second-alarm assignment.

"It took crews over an hour to bring the fire under control as firefighters had to dig out deep-seated fire in the attic void spaces and chimney areas," Rhodes said. "Overland Park Police bravely assisted with a rescue and evacuations."
Firefighters rescued a dog from one apartment. No injuries were reported.

Residents from 10 apartments have been displaced and are working with apartment management to find housing.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and a damage estimate has not been released.

A second-floor apartment left heavily damaged by the fire.

Overland Park Fire Department Battalion 45.

Firefighters were evacuated from the building before the aerials unleased on the chimney fire.

Two Overland Park Fire Department aerial units were used to douse the building from above.

Firefighters await their next assignment as the aerial ladders pour water on the building.

Fire trucks and hose lines strewn through the complex parking lot.

Firefighters rotate in and out of the building.

Firefighters work on the back side of the building.

The fire spread to all three of the building's chimneys.

A balcony on the back of the building was used to help firefighters get on the roof

A fire department drone watches from above as a firefighter works on the roof

Firefighters inspect a section of the attic above the stairwell.

A firefighter uses a chainsaw to access a void in the attic space

Shawnee Fire's 'Engine 71' returns to the scene after using a nearby hydrant to refill

After the fire was brought under control

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