A large structure fire that ignited numerous boxes of ammunition Wednesday night resulted in more than $200,000 in damage to a garage and vehicles five miles north of Manhattan.
Riley County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Pat Collins told KMAN Thursday morning the garage was fully engulfed and two vehicles were on fire by the time crews arrived shortly after 2 a.m. at 6660 N. 52nd St.
The residence is owned by Fred Schneider.
Collins said there were no injuries and that an electrical problem could be the cause, but the fire is still under investigation.
Later Thursday morning during a Riley County commission meeting, Collins told commissioners there were 75 boxes of ammunition in the garage that exploded during the blaze.
“There was lots of popping and banging,” he said. “It blew all four of the tires off each vehicle. They sound like rockets when they go off when you’re standing beside them putting the fire out.”
Collins believed it was mostly handgun ammunition and some rifle ammunition.
KMAN’s Cathy Dawes spoke with Collins early Thursday morning and that interview can be heard here:
