Black Smoke Evacuates Union Station in Kansas City
On a crisp Friday morning in Kansas City, disaster struck the beloved Union Station. Just as the city was waking up, reports started flooding in about a fire that erupted in one of the station’s heating and air conditioning units. But fear not! Our fearless firefighters were on the scene, heroically battling the black smoke that threatened to cloud this iconic landmark.
The Action Unfolds
Around 7:45 a.m., a concerned caller alerted the Kansas City Fire Department about the scary situation. Smoke was billowing out from the lower levels of the massive building at 30 West Pershing Road. Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins and his crew dashed to the scene. With such a grand structure, the fire crew knew they had their work cut out for them.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the fire was located in a mechanical closet atop the Science City roof. Luckily, it was quickly extinguished—but the battle wasn’t over yet. Even after the fire was put out, the pesky smoke was still wreaking havoc. Firefighters worked diligently to air out the historic space while Union Station’s maintenance crew swiftly shut down the air handling system to stop any more smoke from spreading.
Steps to Clear the Smoke
As of 9 a.m., Battalion Chief Hopkins informed us that the firefighters were still engaged in the arduous task of clearing the smoke. “Due to the size of the structure, this is an enormous undertaking,” he explained, adding that building maintenance had even removed a window from an upper floor to help ventilate the area.
With high-powered fans in action, they were creating positive pressure within the station in hopes of pushing the smoke out. Hopkins estimated that it would take an additional hour or two to fully clear the building of smoke. Talk about a morning mishap!
Damage Report
The good news? The fire was contained to that lone mechanical closet, and there was no widespread damage. Union Station’s Associate Vice President of Marketing, Lauren Kovarna, reported that the smoke had no impact on the widely anticipated Holiday Reflections display, which was set to open on Friday in the Grand Plaza.
This festive winter wonderland will be welcoming visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until January 1, but keep in mind—it’ll be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with adjusted hours on Christmas Eve. So get your holiday spirit ready!
Union Station Still Open for Business
Best of all, the attractions at Union Station opened as scheduled at 10 a.m.! Visitors could enjoy the wonders of the station without worry. Matthew Geehan, who owns Rocky Mountain Chocolate, reported a slight smoky scent lingering in the hallway near his store, but all in all, business seemed to carry on as usual.
As of 11 a.m., there was still a faint whiff of smoke in the Grand Hall, but who wouldn’t want a little drama to spice up their day at Union Station? Despite the morning’s chaos, hope and cheer continued to reign as families flocked to explore the holiday displays and enjoy the historic station that has been a staple in Kansas City.
In the end, thankfully, Union Station emerged relatively unscathed, and Kansas City can breathe a little easier this holiday season! Here’s to more cheerful adventures in this stunning landmark, smoke-free and full of festive joy!
