GRANDVIEW PLAZA — A lightning strike during severe thunderstorms Saturday evening sparked a fire at a 36-unit building at Geary Estates Apartments, displacing residents and prompting a multi-agency response.
Grandview Plaza police and fire crews arrived at the apartment complex shortly before 6 p.m. after lightning struck the center portion of the building, Grandview Plaza police chief Korie Martin told The Mercury.
Geary Estates Apartments is at 1215 Cannon View Lane in Grandview Plaza, near Fort Riley.
The fire occurred as severe thunderstorms moved through the Junction City and Grandview Plaza area. The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Geary County Saturday evening, including threats of damaging winds and large hail.
Fire departments from Grandview Plaza, Junction City, Geary County and Fort Riley responded to the scene.
“We got a report at around 5:30 p.m. of a possible structure fire,” Grandview Plaza fire chief Jeremy Bramwell said. “Once units got on-scene, we had smoke showing from the middle tower.”
Bramwell said multiple storms and changing winds complicated firefighting operations.
“Due to the nature of multiple storms happening at the same time, it hindered our operation a little bit,” he said. “Aerials and then wind shifts. Wind shift was a major part of why it went way it did.”
Martin said police officers arrived as soon as the call came in and began helping evacuate the building.
No fatalities or injuries were reported. Officials did not have an immediate count of how many residents were displaced.
Responders contained the fire to the affected building, while water damage extended throughout the apartment complex, Bramwell said.
The American Red Cross responded to assist displaced residents. Martin also said the Junction City Animal Shelter was available to temporarily care for animals belonging to residents who were displaced.
Martin said anyone who needs to have their animals looked after while they are displaced can contact the animal shelter or police for assistance.
