by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Saturday, January 20th, around 7:15 pm, Riley County Fire District #1* was dispatched out to the report of flames and smoke visible from a residence south of Manhattan.
When crews arrived on scene at they found a trailer home fully engulfed in flames in the Hunter's Island area south of Manhattan.
No injuries were reported, however a dog died in the fire.
Twenty-five firefighters on 11 fire apparatus responded and extinguished the fire, remaining on scene for an additional three and a half hours afterwards to monitor for hotspots.
“With temperatures in the single digits, the prolonged cold and slick conditions made things challenging. Our crews did an excellent job of stopping the fire at the building of origin and operating effectively,” explained Deputy Chief John Martens. “While there was an unfortunate loss of a pet, we are grateful there were no other civilian injuries, and no one was inside the structure at the time of the fire.”
The cause of the fire is undetermined, foul play is not suspected in this incident. The trailer home was a total loss from the fire.
“We have a great crew that includes people from several generations all working together. It’s always encouraging to see the young folks learning from veteran firefighters, then stepping into leadership roles themselves. I’m proud of our people and grateful they are committed to this work,” said Martens.
*Riley County Fire District #1 (RCFD#1) safeguards the unincorporated areas of Riley County, Kansas, including Leonardville, Ogden, and Randolph. Additionally, the department offers supplementary support to the City of Manhattan and the City of Riley. Covering approximately 500 square miles of suburban and rural terrain, this dedicated team responds to wildfires, brush fires, structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, road hazards, gas leaks, and other disasters. Dispatched by Riley County 911, the 15 strategically located fire stations, staffed by over 120 volunteer firefighters, ensure around-the-clock emergency response and risk reduction for the community.