GRANDVIEW PLAZA (KSNT) – A local fire official confirms that a lightning strike ignited an apartment complex fire that burned amid dangerous weather conditions last weekend.
Jeremy Bramwell, Grandview Plaza Fire Department fire chief, said in a press release that fire personnel responded to a possible lightning strike at a building around 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the 900 block of Cannonview Lane in Grandview Plaza. Fire crews arrived on the scene to find smoke coming from the roof of the Geary Estates apartment building.
Fire crews requested help from multiple nearby first responder agencies to help with the situation. Firefighters initially entered the apartment building but were forced to withdraw because strong winds hampered firefighting efforts.
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Bramwell said firefighters began to attack the fire from above using ladders while other personnel evacuated the building. Heavy rain, strong winds and continued lightning activity continued to hamper firefighting efforts.
Fire crews contained the fire to the roof and third floor areas of the structure. Many areas inside the building sustained significant water damage. Fire personnel continued dousing hot spots into the morning of Sunday, Sept. 20.
Bramwell said the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal has determined that a lightning strike caused the fire.
“The City of Grandview Plaza along with Grandview Plaza Fire Dept. and Grandview Plaza Police Dept. would like to thank all the agencies that responded to this incident, and to all the tremendous outpour of help with all the organizations assisting in getting help to the victims of this fire.”
Jeremy Bramwell, Grandview Plaza Fire Department fire chief press release excerpt
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Officials with the Red Cross and the Fort Riley Family Assistance Center are helping the individuals who were forced to exit the apartment building due to the fire. For more information on how to help people impacted by the fire, click here.
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