Quick-thinking Youth Help Limit Damage in Magnolia Street Shed Fire
Excelsior Springs, Mo. — Fire crews were called to a structure fire at 8:26 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, in the 1000 block of Magnolia Street, after a group of local youth spotted flames behind a residence and quickly realized the situation was an emergency.
According to information gathered at the scene, the youth initially believed the fire was a large bonfire. As they got closer, they recognized that a storage shed located behind the home was fully engulfed in flames. Some of the group immediately alerted the homeowner and nearby neighbors, while others called 911.
The youth who reported the fire were identified as Brodie Killion, Jayce Clevenger, Sophie Loy, Layla Mandl, Kloey Richardson, and Alana Loy.
Firefighters arriving on scene encountered an extremely fierce fire, with flames leaping high into the air. The intensity of the blaze caused siding to melt off a nearby home located behind the shed, and a fence in the area also caught fire. Fire officials confirmed that the heat and flames resulted in exterior damage to the primary residence as well as neighboring homes.
Crews worked to contain the fire and prevent further spread to surrounding structures. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Jan. 1 house fire on Kevin Street remains under investigation
This incident marks the second structure fire reported in Excelsior Springs in 2026.
The first occurred on Jan. 1 in the 100 block of Kevin Street, when fire crews were dispatched at approximately 8:39 p.m. after a caller reported heavy smoke coming from the basement of a residence. The reporting party told dispatch he was getting occupants out of the home.
All residents escaped the home safely. Firefighters later confirmed the fire was contained to a basement bedroom and appeared to be electrical in nature, according to Assistant Fire Chief Cam White. One resident was transported by private vehicle to the hospital for treatment of minor smoke inhalation.
Due to extensive smoke damage, all residents of the Kevin Street home were displaced, and the American Red Cross was contacted to assist. At the time of the initial report, some animals were unaccounted for but were later located safe. A GoFundMe has been set up to benefit the family, already dealing with loss.
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