A large fire totally destroyed 28 units of The Bluffs Apartment Complex in Junction City on Saturday evening. Junction City Fire Department Chief Terry Johnson told K-MAN at least 19 families and other individuals were displaced by the fire, which caused nearly $4 million in damages.
A news release follows:
Loss of the Fire that occurred at the Bluffs Apartment complex 1810 Caroline Ave. Building B in Junction City that occurred on 9 April 2017 is estimated to be near the insured value of the building of $3.8 million. Individual property loss of the residents for the building will vary as to the loss amount and the contents of the resident’s apartment. The fire is still under investigation as a joint process with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Junction City Fire Department.
JCFD responded to reported working structure fire at location. On scene established command, 28 unit; three story apartment building with heavy fire involving the southeast corner of the building with extension into the common attic. JCPD and Geary County Sheriff’s Office on scene assisted with evacuation of residents, steady wind from the south quickly spread the fire throughout the attic and third floor area. First arriving units continued to evacuate the fire building as well as establishing water supply and placing master stream operations into service. Due to the volume of the fire and weather conditions and the presence of a large amount of embers being spread through the complex in particular Building “D” directly to the north JCFD established multiple water streams to protect the exposed structures. JFCD Requested JCPD and Geary County Sheriff’s Office on scene to start evacuation of the possible exposed buildings and for apparatus to place their master streams into operations as “water curtains” in an effort to knock down and prevent additional structures from igniting. The incident utilized 6 fire hydrants with an average flow of 1000 to 1500 gallons per minute.
Estimated Gallons Per Minute utilized on the fire: 5,600 Gallons Per Minute Estimate use at 10hrs of time usage for 1,680,000 gallons of water.
At approximately 1240hrs on 9 April 2017 as a precaution JCFD units went to 1810 Caroline building B, the Bluffs, to insure that no hot spots had reoccurred. After looking around the structure one of the engine crew members noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the eaves on the north side of the building. A crew proceeded to the third floor to see if access was available. The engine crew was able to gain access to the balcony where they began to pull the ceiling down. The hand line was hoisted up to the balcony by rope, giving the crews the ability to soak down the entire area. Crews observed the area for a while to insure the hot spot was out; the Engine Company, and Med crew continued to search for hot spots. All units returned to station at 1401 hrs.
Agencies involved:
Fort Riley Fire Department Geary County EMA Junction City PD
Manhattan Fire Department American Red Cross Geary County SO
Abilene Fire Department KS OSFM Grandview Plaza Police
Geary County VFD Fort Riley Garrison Commander Brigadier General Frank
Dickerson County EMS Fort Riley Garrison Command Staff
Riley Co Ems
Junction City Fire Department
