At 1:57 am Thursday , the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 721 Osage Street for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, crews found a single family residence with heavy fire on the front of the structure. The fire was contained in less than 15 minutes. Five fire apparatus and 20 firefighters responded with the last units clearing at 7:00 am according to MFD Assistant Chief Mike Kaus.
Three occupants were in the house when the fire started and all exited the house safely prior to Fire Department arrival. There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire. The fire appeared to have started on the front porch and the majority of the damage was contained to the exterior of the structure. Loss is estimated at $50,000, with $25,000 to contents and $25,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Tom and Lana Ellis of 721 Osage Street. The fire cause is under investigation at this time.