Unapproved fire destroys home near Manhattan
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - A house is considered a total loss after a grass fire got out of control near the Little Apple earlier this month.
Around 7 p.m. on April 5, the Manhattan Fire Department (MFD) responded to reports of a fire in the 200 block of Waterbridge Road. When crews arrived, they found a fire had gotten out of control and ignited an unoccupied house nearby.
Fire crews couldn't reach the fire because of steep terrain and narrow dirt roads. The Riley County Fire Department #1 and MFD worked together to put out the grass fire but the home couldn't be saved.
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.Photo provided courtesy of the City of Manhattan. 
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. Photo provided courtesy of the City of Manhattan.
The fire destroyed the home along with vehicles and equipment in a nearby garage. In total, this amounts to an estimated $700,000 in damages.
“Anyone performing outdoor burning is required to follow procedures, including notifying emergency personnel before the fire is started and after it is extinguished," said Russel Stukey, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director at Riley County. "When fire danger is high, outdoor burning is not allowed, even for permit holders."
The State Fire Marshal and Riley County Police Department are currently investigating the incident.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.