The Manhattan Fire Department reports fire caused considerable damage at the Big Brothers Big Sisters offices, 519 Pierre Street, in Manhattan.
There were not any injuries. Deputy Fire Chief Ryam Almes confimed that the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Firefighters got the call just before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. When they arrived on scene they could see fire blowing out of five windows and toward the back of the house that contained the offices It took firefighters about one and a half hours to put the blaze out.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves approximately 165 to 175 children annually over five counties including Riley, Geary, Pottawatomie, Lyon and Marshall counties.
Michelle Sink with Big Brothers noted that they do not need a building to serve their children, 12 of whom are from Geary County. To meet future needs, however, donations will be needed. (kansasbigs.org\donate-now )
Big Brothers Big Sisters employees were not at the offices at the time of the fire They were working from home because of the cold weather.