Posted November 9, 2011
ATF National Response Team Activated to Apartment Fire in Manhattan - Media Release
ATF National Response Team - Fact Sheet___________________________________________________Posted November 7, 2011
On Sunday, November 6, 2011, at 2:38 a.m., the Manhattan Fire Department was notified of a structure fire located at 4th Street and Leavenworth Street. The first arriving fire unit reported the upper floors of the four-story construction site of the Strasser Village Apartments totally engulfed in flames. Six fire apparatus and 35 Manhattan Fire Department personnel responded to the fire. Manhattan Fire Department crews remained on the scene Sunday afternoon and through early this morning to ensure complete extinguishment.
Fire Chief Jerry Snyder said, “It was a very difficult situation. I am very proud of the efforts of our fire crews given the extent of fire involvement upon their arrival. They did an outstanding job protecting exposures and in bringing the fire under control. The responsive assistance from Riley County Emergency Medical Services and the Riley County Police Department were extremely helpful as we continued to fight the fire as well as protect the rest of the City.”
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation. Manhattan Fire Department fire investigators are being assisted by the Riley County Police Department, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Strasser Village Apartments structure sustained a total loss. Damage estimates are undetermined at this time. As a result of embers traveling from the Strasser Village Apartments, the adjacent Dick’s Sporting Goods building sustained fire, smoke and water damage. The loss for the Dick’s Sporting Goods building and contents is undetermined at this time. Dick’s Sporting Goods is expected to re-open soon.
The Strasser Village Apartments is part of North End Redevelopment project that included 96 apartment units, as part of the Manhattan Marketplace Shops, Unit Four. McCullough Development owns the property and Schultz Construction is the general contractor on the project.
Traffic control, scene security and evacuation assistance was provided by the Riley County Police Department.
For additional information, contact Fire Chief Jerry Snyder at 587-4504.