INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The American Red Cross has opened a shelter for residents who lost their homes in a large fire at an Independence apartment complex Wednesday morning on East 37th Terrace. The shelter is at Sermon Community Center, located at 201 N. Dodgion Avenue in Independence. The shelter is open to anyone in need of help after the fire. They can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information. 4 dead after Independence apartment fire Admission to a Red Cross shelter does not require identification or proof of residency. American Red Cross services are free and available to all regardless of race, religious beliefs, nationality, or citizenship status. According to the Kansas City Fire Department, crews responded to a fire at Independence Ridge apartments around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. The apartments are located behind the Independence Commons Shopping Center. Eric Michael from the Independence Fire Department said the fire started in a unit kitchen from an unattended pan on the stove, but investigations are still ongoing. He said the unit where the fire started is believed to be on the third floor. Although no injuries were originally reported, in a press conference Wednesday afternoon, it was confirmed that four people died in the fire. Two of the victims were adults and the two others were children.