MANHATTAN —Just after 4a.m. Wednesday, Riley County Fire District #1 and the Manhattan Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire near the Kansas State University Dairy Unit, according to a media release from the Manhattan Fire Department. A passerby reported the fire to 911.
As firefighters approached the scene, they observed heavy flames coming from several storage buildings north of the Kansas State University campus. A total of 42 units responded, including volunteer firefighters and personnel from Riley County Fire District #1, Manhattan Fire Department, Kansas State University Police Department, and Riley County Emergency Medical Services. No people or animals were injured in the fire.
Several storage buildings and contents were destroyed. A damage estimate is not yet available. The Kansas State Fire Marshal and Kansas State University Fire Marshal were on the scene investigating the cause of the fire as feed storage bins continued to smolder.
K-State staff assisted with debris removal using heavy equipment. “We are concerned about the high winds and blowing embers to other parts of the surrounding K-State North Farm,” Riley County Emergency Services Director and Fire Chief Russel Stukey said. “We’ll stay on scene as long as needed to help ensure that doesn’t happen.” “