GRANDVIEW PLAZA – Fire officials say damage from a Saturday night fire at the 36-unit Geary Estates apartment complex building has been placed at more than $1 million dollars. The building is considered a total loss.

There were no injuries in the blaze that has been listed by authorities as caused by a lightning strike.

Geary County officials say firefighters responded to report of a lightning strike at the apartment complex in Grandview Plaza just before 5:30 p.m..

They checked the roof of the structure for damage and located four spots where lightning had struck, but no fire or flames were located.

The interior of the building was also checked for smoke and fire. The Red Cross worked with the apartment complex staff to arrange housing for the displaced residents.

Gerry Berges, Geary County Rural Fire Chief, reported at approximately 8:30 p.m., 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 and Fort Riley Fire Departments again responded with ladder trucks, and Geary County Rural Fire also responded with an engine to assist.

Thirty mile-per-hour plus easterly winds and low water pressure in the area hampered the firefighters.

Fire personnel were sent inside to help expose a firewall to help prevent the fire from spreading to the north into the other apartments and attic areas.
The fire was considered under control by 11 p.m.
An investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on scene Sunday morning.

A drone from Dickinson County Fire District 1 arrived and did aerial video and photography for investigators.