RCPD suspects arson after Monday's apartment fire

Riley County Police are investigating a possible arson after a fire in an apartment building in southwest Manhattan Monday morning.

Officers listed Russ Briggs as the victim on the arson report, and a Manhattan Fire Department release stated the owner of the apartment building at 2514 Stagg Hill Road is the Russell K. Briggs Trust of Manhattan.

MFD officials estimated the total loss as a result of the fire at $50,000.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire.

At 6:44 a.m. on Monday, the report of a structure fire at the apartment building came in, and 17 Manhattan Fire Department firefighters responded. Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming out of the top floor of the three-story, 12-unit building. They searched the building and extinguished the fire within 15 minutes.

Firefighters contained the fire to apartment No. 5, where it originated.

Stagg Hill Road shut down for about an hour as a result of the fire.