Update on June 17 fire at K-State Dairy Unit

Riley County Fire District #1 and the Manhattan Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire near the Kansas State University Dairy Unit early this morning.

Emergency crews were dispatched at 4:05 a.m. after a passerby reported the fire to 911. As firefighters approached the scene, they observed heavy flames coming from several storage buildings north of the Manhattan campus.

No people or animals were injured in the fire, but several storage buildings and their contents were destroyed. A damage estimate is not yet available. The Kansas State Fire Marshal and Kansas State University Fire Marshal are on scene investigating the cause of the fire.

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.

At this time, grain and feed storage bins continue to smolder. The Manhattan Fire Department has cleared the scene, and Riley County Fire District #1 personnel and volunteers are expected to remain for several hours to fully extinguish the fire and conduct mop-up operations. K-State staff members are assisting with debris removal using heavy equipment.

“We are concerned about the high winds today 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.”

K-State appreciates the prompt response of emergency personnel as well as faculty and staff from numerous university units.