by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Friday, May 31 just after 3:00 am, volunteer firefighters with Riley County Fire District #1(RCFD #1) were called out to the report of a structure fire in the 1800 block of Kientz Drive, south of Manhattan.
When crews arrived on scene they found smoke and flames coming from the residence.
At the time of the fire, two adults and three young children were asleep, with bedroom doors closed. The family was woken up by the smoke alarm sounding.
The residents escaped, without injury, through a bedroom window. Sadly, three of the family's four cats died as a result of the fire.
"Having working smoke detectors and sleeping with bedroom doors closed potentially saved the lives of this family.” says Fire Chief Russel Stukey, emphasizing the importance of good fire safety practices.
The fire appears to have started in the kitchen, however, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A damage estimate is not available, yet, however, firefighters who were on scene report that the kitchen was destroyed in the fire, with the remainder of the home incurring extensive damage from smoke.
Twenty-six volunteer firefighters with nine fire apparatus responded to the fire.
The owners of the property are listed as Joseph M. Collins II and Michael T. Collins of Coos Bay, Oregon. Sam Foster, who is also a volunteer firefighter with RCFD#1, and his family are the occupants who rent the home.
“The family will be displaced for at least several weeks while the significant damage is repaired. If anyone would like to help them out, donations to the Sam Foster family can be sent via the Riley County Firefighters Association,” said Stukey.
Donations can be sent by mail or delivered in person to the Riley County Firefighters Association, 115 N. 4th St., Manhattan, KS 66502. Please indicate the donation is intended for the Sam Foster family. For more information, call the RCFD#1 headquarters office at 785-537-6333.