Unapproved grass fire destroys home near the City of Manhattan

(RILEY COUNTY, KS - 4/12/2024) Fire crews were dispatched to reports of a structure fire and out-of-control grass fire near the City of Manhattan on the evening of Friday, April 5. One, unoccupied, single-family home on the property was destroyed in the fire, but no injuries have been reported. Damage to the home, including vehicles and equipment stored in the garage, is estimated at $700,000.

At 6:58 PM on April 5th Manhattan Fire Department (MFD) was dispatched to 200 Waterbridge Road, a rural property adjacent to the City of Manhattan. Upon arrival, MFD crews found a grass fire had started on a neighbor's property, got out of control, then ignited the unoccupied home on Waterbridge.

Crews from Manhattan Fire Department were unable to reach the fire with structural apparatus due to the steep terrain and narrow dirt roads and did not have an adequate water supply to extinguish the structure fire. At 7:15 PM, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to and assumed command of the scene. RCFD#1 and MFD worked together to extinguish the grass fire. The home was considered a total loss.

The owners of the damaged property at 200 Waterbridge are listed as the Stanley Ward Morgan, Jr. Trust and Brenda K. Morgan Trust. The fire started on an adjoining property.

The State Fire Marshal and Riley County Police Department are investigating the incident.

"Fortunately, the Morgans had performed their own approved, controlled burns on their property earlier in the week which likely prevented the fire from spreading to additional homes in the area. Anyone performing outdoor burning is required to follow procedures, including notifying emergency personnel before the fire is started and after it is extinguished. When fire danger is high, outdoor burning is not allowed, even for permit holders," explained Russel Stukey, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director at Riley County.