Omaha firefighters contain apartment fire

A woman was displaced and her pet is dead after an apartment fire Tuesday morning. The Omaha Fire Department responded to the fire just after 8 a.m. near 50th and Grover streets. When they arrived, crews said they saw smoke and an orange glow coming from a first-floor apartment. Firefighters knocked down the fire quickly and were able to prevent damage to other units. “Right now, it doesn’t look like anybody else is going to be displaced,” OFD Battalion Chief Danny Gates said. “Doors were closed, so it doesn’t — just a little bit of smoke got out when we had to enter into the building.” No people were hurt in the fire. The cause is under investigation.
WOWT-TV NBC 6 Omaha

Vista Trend, Post fires in Nebraska Panhandle now largely under control

Two wildfires that had neared Scottsbluff and Crawford in the Nebraska Panhandle have largely been brought under control, authorities in western Nebraska said. A fire southwest of Scottsbluff, dubbed the Vista Trend fire that has burned about 3,600 acres (5.625 square miles), was 100% contained by Monday afternoon, while the fire south of Crawford, named the Post fire that has burned 5,400 acres (8.44 square miles), was halfway contained, the Omaha World-Herald reported. The two fires were first reported last week and are about 70 miles apart in a region that in the grip of severe drought. Chris Schroeder with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, said dry landscape, low humidity and gusty winds accelerated both fires last week. By Thursday evening, the state had been brought in to help.
News Channel Nebraska

Lincoln man allegedly sets apartment fire, calls 911 on himself

A Lincoln man Saturday started a fire in a skillet on his stovetop in what police say was an attempt to burn his apartment building down, according to Lincoln Police. Jay Badorek called first responders after allegedly starting the fire in his apartment unit near 48th Street and Pioneers Boulevard at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Officer Erin Spilker said. As Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews put the fire out — it caused damage to the cabinets and a wall in Badorek's kitchen, according to court records — Lincoln Police conducted interviews and arrested the 67-year-old on suspicion of first-degree arson. Spilker said Badorek had intentionally lit the fire in an effort to burn the building down amid an ongoing dispute with neighbors.
Lincoln Journal Star - Metered Site

Memorial service honors late Nebraska firefighters, EMS

VIDEO: The Nebraska Firefighters Museum hosted their annual Fallen Firefighters/EMS Memorial Service honoring Nebraska firefighters and EMS on Sunday. This year the ceremony honored 72 Nebraska firefighters and EMS who died in 2019 and 2020. Community members and family members of the fallen heroes are invited to the memorial that happens every year in September. President of the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Patrick Moore said events honoring the fallen are extremely important. “They get out of bed at all hours in the night, all at different times, they leave, and you should be nice sleepy, and comfortable, here are the volunteer firefighters going off running," said Moore. According to Moore, there are 237 fire departments in the state, and only 18 of them pay a partial salary. The other 98.6% are all volunteer services.
KHGI-TV ABC 13 Kearney

Irvington volunteer department dedicates second fire station

VIDEO: After nearly 70 years as a volunteer department, Irvington Fire, just outside Omaha, officially opened and dedicated its second station. "In 2008, we had a vision that the county keeps moving this direction, so we thought we would build a satellite fire station so we can help serve the people on this end of our district," says Rescue Captain Tom Townsend on Sunday morning to a crowd of several dozen. "For me, it's continuing on what our charter members did in 1952, there were 24 members that started the volunteer fire department, and basically built what it is up to this point," says Chief Nolan Paulsen. "We're just trying to continue on what they did for their community, that they saw the needs that were needed for fire and EMS." But, this is just phase one for the station.
WOWT-TV NBC 6 Omaha

Norfolk Fire Department responds to house fire

Norfolk Fire & Rescue was dispatched in the early morning hours to the 500 block of Pierce St. in Norfolk for a house that was on fire. Once on scene, first responders saw flames coming from the garage, and heave smoke coming from the rear of the house. Officials say that approximately 24 firefighters using seven rigs were able to get the fire under control in 30 minutes. They then took another 2 hours to overhaul the structure. No one was injured in the fire, and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The property is estimated to be worth $175,000 and sustained $80,000 in damages. Norfolk Fire reminds you to check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
KTIV-TV NBC 4 Sioux City

Lancaster County Sheriff, State Fire Marshal investigating house fire

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a house fire that resulted in one man being arrested. LSO tells 10/11 NOW they were dispatched with Raymond Volunteer Fire & Rescue a little after 7:30 a.m. on a report of a house fire, just east of Highway 77 and Waverly Road. Crews arrived to fire coming from the home, and additional agencies were requested by Raymond. The sheriff’s office says a 32-year-old man was located at the scene and was shortly taken into custody. Deputies say he resisted them, but was ultimately arrested. LSO says he was cited for resisting arrested, but was jailed for suspicion of second-degree arson. LSO didn’t report any injuries, and says the home is a total loss.
KOLN-TV CBS 10/KGIN-TV CBS 11 Lincoln-Grand Island