Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a $2.8 million contract Monday authorizing BHS Construction to begin work on the remodel of the old Riley County EMS Station at 2011 Claflin Road.

The facility will become the headquarters for Emergency Management and Riley County Fire District No. 1.

“They’d like to start as soon as we can get a signed contract here,” public works director John Ellerman said.

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Just before midnight on Friday, the contents in a metal shed at the home of Calvin and Carolyn Dishman caught fire. Calvin Dishman says he was fighting the fire with a garden hose and believed he had it mostly contained as First Responders arrived on scene at 4721 McIntyre Road. The property, which is located off Tuttle Cove Road just west of Tuttle Creek Lake, contains a 3-bedroom house, and several outbuildings. The shed where the fire started is about five feet from the north side and closer to the northwest corner of the single-family house. There is also a carport with two vehicles next to the shed with another structure near the northeast corner of the home for outdoor socializing.  

Calvin Dishman says personnel from Riley County Fire District #1 removed him from the shed. Dishman believed they were taking over extinguishing the fire inside his shed. Dishman, his wife – Carolyn, and his son – William all say the firefighters stood by their apparatus, making no attempt to extinguish the fire for what seemed like 30 minutes. By then neighbors had congregated. One neighbor who walked down to the Dishman home is Dusty Gilbert, who says he was in disbelief that he didn’t see any effort to fight the fire until it flared up and became fully involved. Gilbert says once it appeared to him they had successfully extinguished the shed fire, he returned to his own home.  

Gilbert says he heard sirens again around an hour later, so started walking toward the Dishman home. He was unable to get more than halfway there because the road was blocked off. Gilbert says he saw flames pouring out of the windows of the house and was shocked to see the home was fully engulfed with fire. Gilbert was unable to contact the family, but was relieved to learn later that Carolyn, Calvin, and William Dishman and their dog were safely out of the house. Another son, Tommy Dishman, responded to his childhood home after learning it was burning down. Tommy Dishman says his dad Calvin has knee and ankle issues and fell while fleeing the house. Calvin hit his forehead on a cinder block and was treated at the scene by First Responders. Calvin Dishman told KMAN that he feels like he will be okay physically but wasn’t feeling well enough to talk. Calvin and Carolyn did occasionally clarify some details as family and neighbors reported what they saw.  

Tommy Dishman and Gilbert were perplexed by their perception of what they referred to as a “slow response to a minimal and mostly contained fire in an unattached outbuilding.” All four Dishmans say they were disappointed when a police officer pushed another of the Dishman sons away from a garage-type outbuilding on the south side of the house, refusing to allow them to move a truck to a safer location. But, they also had plenty of praise for responders. Tommy Dishman noted that when the Fire Marshal arrived, he told them they could move the truck if they had the keys available. That truck is where Carolyn and Calvin are sitting while their relatives and neighbors search for anything salvageable within their house.  

Tommy Dishman and Gilbert detailed how two volunteer firefighters ceremoniously lowered the American Flag, folded it properly, then presented it to Calvin Dishman, who is a Veteran. Tommy said the sentiment nearly crushed his heart with appreciation. First Responders also tended to Calvin’s injuries on-the-scene, allowing him to remain with his family. The Red Cross was notified by a neighbor and is working on finding them shelter. And, other neighbors have gone out to buy the family some clothes, food and drinks, dropping them off at their truck. Neighbors rallied around the family, including Gilbert, voicing concerns it’s possible the family won’t be allowed to rebuild. They’re holding out hope that Riley County will allow rebuilding as it initially appears the basement hasn’t sustained structural damage.  

News Radio KMAN reached out to two county employees early Saturday morning, asking if the overnight fire was newsworthy. One did not respond, another responded more than 3.5 hours later, after a third employee was contacted, who asked them when they could release some information. By then the community was so curious about what was happening on McIntyre Road, a reporter had already been dispatched and was on scene.  

Riley County later announced: “At 11:52 PM Friday, May 10, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to reports of a structure fire at 4721 Freeman (sic) Road near Tuttle Creek Lake. Upon arrival, volunteer fire crews found smoke and flames showing.” Riley County reported that one resident was treated at the scene for minor injuries sustained while existing the home, and no other injuries were reported, “and no pets were lost in the fire.” A total of 22 RCFD#1 volunteers and Deputy Chief Doug Russell responded on 10 apparatus. Manhattan Fire Department also responded to a mutual aid request, sending Battalion 1 and Engine 1. Crews remained on the scene until 7:00 AM Saturday.  

Deputy Chief Russell expressed their gratitude “to the crews who spent long hours keeping this fire contained to the initial structures,” adding they “are thankful no one was seriously injured and the fire didn’t spread to neighboring homes.” Russell said, “This is an unfortunate loss for the homeowner.” 

Two trucks and a classic car were not damaged. The family home is a total loss. The fire is under investigation by the Kansas Fire Marshal. Foul play is not suspected.  

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