KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On Saturday morning, the Kansas City Fire Department ushered in a new age of fire fighting after a large fire broke out at a recycling center near Bally's Casino and CPKC Stadium. According to KCFD, at about 6:45 a.m., crews were called to the Batliner Paper Stock recycling ce nter on East Front Street after receiving reports of a large fire on the east side of the property. Kansas health officials issue air quality advisory due to dust, smoke Crews said multiple semi-trailers, along with large piles of recyclable materials, had caught fire. This forced KCFD to call in back up from several companies. But that wasn't the only resource called in. It was reported that KCFD launched a brand-new, remote-operated tracked robot for the first time, giving crews an extra hand to extinguish the flames and marking a "historical moment" for the department. The robot, which is capable of supplying 2500 gallons of water per minute and equipped with multiple cameras, can be used in both offensive and defensive situations. Specifically, it can be used in large commercial structures, subterranean conditions (underground caves), and can operate in situations that would be considered unsafe for firefighters. Crews with the Kansas City Fire Department watch a new, remote-controlled robot extinguish a fire at a recycling center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Credit: Kansas City Fire Department) According to KCFD, "This technology continues to keep the Kansas City Fire Department on the cutting edge of the fire service and adds to our storied history of leading the way in our industry." Infant remains in critical condition after being mauled by pit bull By 9 a.m., the fire was under control; however, crews are continuing to put out hotspots. KCFD said the cause of the fire is still under investigation ...read more read less