Collapsed roof and parapet wall debris in front of the Family Dollar store. Source: KSHB (image by Bystander)
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, a partial building collapse occurred at the Family Dollar store located at 3726 Broadway Boulevard in Kansas City. The collapse involved both the roof and the front facade, leading to one fatality and three injuries. The Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) responded at approximately 2:45 PM, confirming that a 68-year-old man lost his life and a 50-year-old woman sustained critical injuries. Two additional individuals received minor injuries and declined further treatment. All injuries occurred outside the store, raising concerns about falling exterior components.
Authorities noted that two days before the collapse, a public inspection record cited concerns about the building “slowly tilting.” Although no immediate action was taken at that time, the observation may have signaled underlying structural instability. KCFD officials have stated that building inspection records will be reviewed thoroughly. The cause of the collapse is currently undetermined. Investigators will focus on identifying whether early warnings were missed and whether structural fatigue or material degradation contributed to the failure.
Visible deformation and facade separation photographed earlier by a nearby resident. Source: KSHB (image by Rob Dixon)
As a result of the collapse, Broadway remains closed from 36th to 38th Street while Kansas City Police Department and structural engineers assess the damage and remove debris. The event has prompted a reassessment of safety protocols and inspection frequencies for aging commercial buildings in the area.
Check out the following video for more information on the tragic incident.
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