BEATRICE – A city in southeast Nebraska has seen its fourth structure fire in the past six weeks.

This time, a fire broke out early Monday morning in Beatrice, near 9th and Scott….about three blocks east of Beatrice Fire and Rescue Headquarters.

Beatrice Firefighters were sent to a one-story home with an attic, along the north side of Scott Street.  Dense smoke and flames were observed coming from mainly the rear portion of the home.

Southeast Communications dispatch traffic indicated that two occupants escaped the residence to a neighboring home, possibly suffering from smoke inhalation.   There was an unconfirmed report that two dogs may have been lost in the fire. 

A fire engine and the department’s aerial ladder truck were sent to the fire, along with two ambulance units. 

Firefighters attacked the fire from both inside and outside…with the flames  breaking through a rear wall of the house. 

A state fire investigator was called to the scene to help determine what caused the blaze.  Firefighters remained on scene early Monday for at least three hours.

It was the second house fire in the past three days in Beatrice.  Late Friday night a blaze destroyed a one-story home on North 11th Street.