On May 23 at approximately 5:23 pm, the 9-1-1 Center received several calls
concerning lightning striking an apartment complex in Grandview Plaza. The
complex is located at 1103-1111 Cannon View. There is a total of 36 apartments in
this complex.
Grandview Plaza Fire responded and along with law enforcement evacuated all the
apartments. They also requested Mutual Aid of ladder/aerial trucks from both
Junction City Fire and Ft. Riley Fire Departments. Once Junction City Fire ladder
truck arrived on scene, the ladder was raised and firefighters checked the roof area
for damages. They were able to locate several spots where lightening had stuck.
There was no fire or flames located. The interior of the building was also checked
for smoke and fire. Red Cross was working with the apartment complex staff to
arrange housing for the displaced residents.
At approximately 8:30, Grandview Plaza firefighters who were still on scene
smelled something burning. They located a small fire on the east side of the complex
in the area of the roof eaves. Fire extinguishers were used to try to put the fire out
from inside the building. Both Junction City Fire and Ft. Riley Fire Departments
again responded with their ladder trucks. Geary County Fire also responded with an
engine to assist.
Both ladder trucks once on scene, attempted to fight the fire by using their water
nozzles located on the tip of the ladders. They were hampered by 30mph plus
easterly winds and water pressure in the area. Fire personnel were sent inside to help
expose a fire wall to help prevent the fire from spreading to the north into the other
apartments and attic areas.
The fire was considered under control at about 11pm. Firefighters from Grandview
Plaza Fire remained on scene throughout the night. Sunday morning, an investigator
from the State Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on scene. A drone from Dickinson
County Fire District 1 arrived and did aerial video and photography for
investigators. The fire was ruled a cause of nature due to the lightning strike.
Damages to the building and contents is estimated in excess of 1 million dollars.
There were no injuries at the scene.
Agencies on scene included: Grandview Plaza Fire, Grandview Plaza Police,
Junction City Fire/EMS, Ft. Riley Fire, Geary County Sheriff, Geary County Fire,
and Geary County Emergency Management. Over 40 firefighters were on scene
from the different fire agencies.
