Southeast Lincoln store temporarily closed after fire caused ‘heavy smoke damage’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is staying closed this week after a fire at its building on Sunday.

In an update Monday, Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln said the fire, which started in a dumpster, caused “heavy smoke damage” at the store near 56th Street and Nebraska Parkway.

“We think there’s about a week’s worth of donated product that’s going to be a little too smoke-damaged and a little covered in soot right now,” Director of Development Matt Ross said. “So unfortunately, those items are probably going to be lost, but we’re going to try to salvage what we can.”

The cause of the fire is unknown. Lincoln Fire & Rescue estimated it caused about $200,000 in damage.

Habitat for Humanity thanked LFR for its “quick response” to the fire, and Ross said he’s thankful no one got hurt.

“Thankfully, it was a Sunday; we were closed,” Ross said, but he also worried about the store’s neighbors in the building.

The ReStore will be closed for the rest of the week for cleanup. It’s unknown when exactly it will reopen.

Habitat leaders are asking the community to be ready to step up and support them.

“We are doing our best to open as quickly as we can, but we want to make sure we do that as safely as possible,” Ross said.