by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
RILEY COUNTY - On Monday, September 18th, Riley County Fire District #1 was called out to the report of a possible structure fire in the 900 block of S. Collins Lane, south of Manhattan at 11:14 a.m.
When firefighters arrived on scene they found a fire had engulfed a trailer near a house and had spread to a neighboring trailer and the yard.
The Riley County Police Department Public Information Officer, Aaron Wintermote, says RCPD officers also responded to the scene on the report of aggravated battery and arson.
RCPD says a 48-year-old Manhattan man was transported by Riley County EMS to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan for treatment after it was reported he was hit in the head multiple times with a pan by a 39-year-old male known to him.
According to RCPD, the suspect, who reportedly hit the victim with the pan, then threw the victim's electronics into the bonfire, which had spread to a neighboring trailer, damaging it as well.
RCFD #1 Deputy Chief Doug Russell says the fire melted siding on the house, burned trailers, the yard and neighboring grass, totaling about 3 acres of property damaged by fire.
RCFD #1 had 6 trucks with 15 firefighters respond to the scene, with Manhattan Fire Department sending one truck with four firefighters to the scene as mutual aid.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Riley County Police Department Crime Scene Investigators and the Kansas Fire Marshal have been called to investigate the scene.
RCPD has arrested 39-year-old, Daniel Lee of Manhattan in connection with this incident. Charges are pending until the investigation is complete.
Lee remains confined to the Riley County Jail on a bond of $20,000 with requested charges of aggravated domestic battery and arson.