Crews respond to fire at former Kansas City mayor's home

Brian Dulle and Crystal Martinez

40 minutes ago

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Multiple Kansas City Fire crews are on the scene of a large house fire Wednesday evening.

The fire was reported shortly after 6:40 p.m. in the area of ​​Greenway Terrace and Ward Parkway.

Public records show the house where the fire took place is the home of former Kansas City Mayor Richard Berkley.

When KCFD crews arrived on scene, they reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the garage of the two-story home. Everyone in the home was able to escape and no injuries have been reported at this time.

KCFD says the fire is under control and the Red Cross has been ordered to take two adults and a dangerous building order has been issued.

Additional crews were also sent to recover due to the heat.

The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation.

This is a developing story. FOX4 will have continuing coverage tonight on FOX4 News at 9pm and 10pm.

Richard Berkley served as mayor from 1979 to 1991, longer than any other mayor in Kansas City history. He was one of five mayors to be elected to a third term.

He also served on the Kansas City Council for 10 years and was a young executive in his family's Tension Corporation before entering politics.

Berkley is known for his expansion of Bartle Hall, bringing 911 services to Kansas City residents and creating, among other things, the Kansas City Jazz Commission.

Berkley Riverfront Park and the surrounding area are named in his honor. He died last November at the age of 92.