12 April 2024
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – A house is considered a total loss after a grass fire got out of control near the Little Apple earlier this month.
Around 7 p.m. on April 5, the Manhattan Fire Department (MFD) responded to reports of a fire in the 200 block of Waterbridge Road. When crews arrived, they found a fire had gotten out of control and ignited an unoccupied house nearby.
Fire crews couldn’t reach the fire because of steep terrain and narrow dirt roads. The Riley County Fire Department #1 and MFD worked together to put out the grass fire but the home couldn’t be saved.
The fire destroyed the home along with vehicles and equipment in a nearby garage. In total, this amounts to an estimated $700,000 in damages.
“Anyone performing outdoor burning is required to follow procedures, including notifying emergency personnel before the fire is started and after it is extinguished,” said Russel Stukey, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director at Riley County. “When fire danger is high, outdoor burning is not allowed, even for permit holders.”
The State Fire Marshal and Riley County Police Department are currently investigating the incident.
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