Oven fire sends Beatrice Firefighters to apartment complex

BEATRICE – Firefighters in southeast Nebraska were called to fight a kitchen fire at an apartment complex Friday night.

Beatrice Firefighters were sent to the 800 block of North 6th…the location of a three-story apartment complex alongside what is also known as U.S. Highway 77.
Police Sergeant Derrick Hosick who arrived on scene as the fire was starting said all occupants evacuated the building safely. Firefighters encountered smoke upon arrival. Beatrice Fire Captain Corey Lieneman says the fire apparently started in the oven in a second-floor apartment.

"We got there and had a lot of heavy smoke in the second floor apartment. They did find some fire in the oven as well as behind it in a wall. It appears it kind of got into the electrical."  Gas and electric utility company officials were summoned to shut off the gas and electricity to the complex.

Officials says the fire damage was confined to the second-floor apartment, but there was smoke in surrounding units on multiple floors.  "I would say five or six, at least....if not more."

Officials sought help from the Red Cross to aid occupants who could not stay at the building overnight. There were no injuries to occupants or firefighters. There was a report of a pet cat in one of the units, but no animal was found.

At least fifteen firefighters, a pumper truck and the department’s aerial ladder truck were sent to the scene. A hydrant was located next to the building, but firefighters were able to make use of two hose lines from the pumper to douse the flames.

"We had a good turnout. The guys did a good job of knocking it down quick. Something like this with multiple apartments, it can really spread in a hurry and be a lot worse," Lieneman said.

A Nebraska Fire Marshal investigator was summoned to the scene to assist in the investigation. The apartment complex is owned by a company based in Columbus and David City.