Cause, damage listed for Friday night apartment fire in Beatrice
No injuries, but about a dozen tenants were displaced from the complex
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE – A Nebraska Fire Marshal investigator determined a Friday night apartment fire to be accidental, caused by an oven panel malfunction.
Beatrice Firefighters were sent at 6:10 p.m. to the 800 block of North 6th…the location of a three-story apartment complex.
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 Lienemann says the fire apparently started in the oven in a second-floor apartment.
Monday morning, a fire captain said there was fire damage in two apartment units, and smoke damage four or five units. Damage was estimated at $15,000.
Officials sought help from the Red Cross to aid occupants who could not stay at the building overnight. Eleven tenants had to be relocated. There were no injuries to occupants or firefighters.
At least fifteen firefighters, a pumper truck and the department’s aerial ladder truck were sent to the scene. The apartment complex is owned by a company based in Columbus and David City.