From the KCKFD Spokesman Tuesday afternoon:

The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department (KCKFD) had a structural engineer conduct an inspection of Fire Station 20 today and confirmed that the building is safe. The personnel at Station 20 will return to the station immediately. The official report from the engineer is anticipated to be ready by the end of the week. 

After Monday’s article in Wyandotte News Daily about Friday’s sudden closure of Fire Station 20 at 78th and Kansas Ave. and inquiries with the Kansas City, Kan. Fire Department and Unified Government, the KCKFD today sent out a press release with additional details about the closure and status of the building.

The department’s Support Services Division reported cracks in load-bearing walls, and extending into other walls, leading Chief Dennis Rubin to close the building while further inspection takes place.

The inspection will be handled by the Unified Government’s Facilities and Buildings Manager, which will have a structural engineer examine the building and recommend needed repairs. Reopening of the station will depend on the extent of the repair work.

The department said that it expects no disruption to fire and EMS service in the Muncie area, which will be handled by nearby stations until Station 20 reopens.