An investigation is underway after a woman allegedly set fire to a warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri, a property that had recently been considered as a potential site for an immigration detention center. The incident occurred Thursday evening, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and fire services.
Witnesses reported seeing a woman approach the building, apply a substance, and then ignite it just before 5:50 p.m. The suspect reportedly fled the scene after the fire was started. Firefighters arrived and were able to extinguish the flames shortly thereafter. The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is actively seeking information to identify and locate the woman involved.
Background of the Property
The warehouse, located at 14901 Botts Road, had been under consideration for a federal immigration detention project. However, Platform Ventures announced on Thursday morning that this proposed transaction would no longer proceed. An ICE supervisor reportedly informed Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca that the facility was intended to house a substantial number of individuals, potentially up to 7,500 beds, and was not exclusively for immigration detention.
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The Incident
Authorities are investigating the event as an act of arson. Witnesses provided accounts of a woman intentionally igniting a substance sprayed onto the building. The timing of the fire, occurring shortly after the announcement that the proposed transaction would not move forward, has drawn attention.
Timeline of Events
Thursday morning: Platform Ventures announced the proposed transaction for the warehouse as a potential detention center would not proceed.
Thursday, shortly before 5:50 p.m.: Witnesses reported a woman setting fire to the warehouse.
Thursday evening: Firefighters responded and extinguished the flames.
Current: Police are searching for the suspect and investigating the incident.
Conflicting Perspectives
While official reports focus on the alleged arson and the search for a suspect, some commentary suggests a motivation linked to activism against the potential detention facility.
Activist Motivation?
Some reporting frames the act as potentially stemming from opposition to the facility's proposed use as an ICE detention center.
One account suggests the perpetrator may have believed the deal was still active, acting on a situation that had already changed.
Law Enforcement Focus
The primary focus for law enforcement remains the identification and apprehension of the individual responsible for the fire.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department has stated they are seeking information regarding the suspect.
Evidence and Investigation
Witness accounts: Multiple witnesses observed the suspect applying a substance to the building and setting it on fire.
Physical evidence: The building sustained fire damage, and investigators are examining the scene.
Law enforcement appeals: Police are requesting the public's assistance in identifying the woman seen at the scene.
Expert Analysis
While not directly related to this specific incident, the report from American Partisan notes a trend of "anti-ICE violence" with incidents of arson and attacks targeting ICE facilities and personnel in other locations. This broader context may be relevant to understanding potential motivations, though it does not directly implicate the suspect in the Kansas City case.
The report from KCTV5 regarding a previous arson incident in Kansas City that damaged multiple homes highlights that arson investigations are a concern for local authorities.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The investigation into the warehouse fire on Botts Road is ongoing. Authorities are seeking a woman who is alleged to have intentionally set fire to the building. The property's prior consideration as an ICE detention center, coupled with the recent news that the deal was canceled, forms a significant part of the reported background.
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Immediate next steps: The police department will continue to gather witness statements and analyze any available surveillance footage. Appeals for public assistance will likely remain a key component of the investigation.
Implications: The outcome of the investigation will determine the legal proceedings against the suspect, should they be apprehended. The incident also raises questions about security and the potential for motivated acts targeting properties associated with federal agencies.
Sources Used:
KSHB.com: Published 9 hours ago. Provides initial details of the incident, witness accounts, and police involvement. https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/woman-sought-after-setting-fire-to-kansas-city-mo-warehouse-once-considered-for-use-as-ice-detention-center
Yournews.com: Published 13 hours ago. Corroborates the arson, the suspect's description (a woman), and the property's link to a proposed ICE facility, noting the deal's cancellation. https://yournews.com/2026/02/13/6457854/suspect-sought-after-arson-at-kansas-city-warehouse-linked-to/
Twitchy.com: Published 13 hours ago. Frames the event as "unhinged activism" and mentions the belief that the building was to become an ICE facility, highlighting the cancellation of the deal. https://twitchy.com/grateful-calvin/2026/02/13/fire-and-ice-authorities-look-for-arsonist-caught-setting-kansas-city-building-ablaze-n2424983
American Partisan: Published Aug 6, 2025. While reporting on a different incident in Washington state, it discusses a trend of "anti-ICE violence" and arson attacks on ICE facilities. This article is included for contextual understanding of broader patterns, not direct evidence for the Kansas City event. https://www.americanpartisan.org/2025/08/ice-says-arrests-and-deportations-will-continue-after-arsonist-hurls-rock-sets-fire-at-back-of-ice-building-in-washington-state/
KCTV5: Published Apr 17, 2025. Reports on a past arson incident in Kansas City involving multiple homes, indicating that arson is a crime investigated by local authorities. https://www.kctv5.com/2025/04/17/crews-battle-raging-fire-that-now-involves-3-kansas-city-homes/
