UPDATE:
Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said Wednesday morning that the estimated dollar loss from the Munson's Prime Steakhouse fire has been set at $750,000. The owners, Deanna and Chuck Munson, confirmed the business was insured.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday to the 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard location on the south side of Junction City. The fire had been reported by an on-duty Geary County Sheriff's Deputy. When they arrived they found the single story wood framed building with fire showing on the northwest side of the structure from the north entrance into the kitchen area. Fire progression on the structure forced an evacuation of the building at 4:30 a.m. Crews then had to transition to a defensive attack. Fire eventually caused a structure collapse on the northwest section of the steakhouse.
Crews continued their operations on scene until 9:55 a.m. and investigators from the Junction City Fire Department and State Fire Marshal's Office could then begin work. KDOT also placed warning signs during the fire for smoke crossing Interstate 70.
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Junction City firefighters were dispatched to Munson's Prime at approximately 4 a.m. Wednesday to battle the fire that destroyed the restaurant.
Terry Johnson, Fire Chief, said when they arrived they found fire pushing out the back of the building. "They went into to do an interior attack and were pushed back out by the amount of fire that was in the building. It got into the ceiling and after that just ran through the whole building. Unfortunately the building's a total loss. "
Johnson confirmed that there were no injuries. "Thankfully no one was in the building when it occurred. We had 32 firemen on scene, 12 from JCPD and Sheriff's Department, and about 8 or 10 from gas and electric. " Fort Riley also provided mutual aid with an engine company.
The cause of the blaze is not known, said Johnson. "The area of origin or where we believe it may have started was in the back northwest corner of the building."
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A south side Junction City steakhouse steeped in family farm tradition has been destroyed by fire.
Numerous items of value to the Munson family and Junction City community were destroyed in the early Wednesday morning fire at Munson's Prime, 426 Goldenbelt Boulevard.
The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson.
Deanna lamented the loss of the family and community items. "We had everything that was the absolute the ultimate value to us over the generations. The piano that was in the Opera House that was in the fire at the time of the fire in the 1890's that we had restored and put into there that had been in the Munson family since that fire."
Munson added all the memorabilia on the wall of the restaurant was destroyed. "The fact that we had put it together for this community to showcase, yes Munson meat, but to showcase the roots of this community. That's what's gone, it's just gone!
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JUNCTION CITY —Authorities were on the scene of a steakhouse fire in Junction City Wednesday.
Just after 4 a.m. firefighters responded to a fire at Munson's Prime, 1825 Goldenbelt Boulevard in Junction City, according to Garry Berges, Geary County Rural Fire Chief.
The entire structure is a complete loss and the roof has caved in on it, according to Berges.
Firefighters were trying to protect the exposures to the east, which would be the old Ike's Place. There are also high transmission power lines in the area.
The restaurant was owned by Chuck and Deanna Munson and has been a popular eating establishment in Junction City.
Berges said there was a lot of smoke in the area, especially going across the interstate so anybody down here needs to be very careful as they're going along the roadway and try to stay out of the area if possible. There were no injuries reported and no information on a possible cause.
Check the Post for more details as information becomes available.