Witnesses describe “explosion” as north Lincoln hotel is engulfed in flames
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A hotel in north Lincoln went up in flames on Monday night, prompting a massive response from firefighters.
Crews were called to the Fairfield Inn & Suites at 27th and Superior streets just before 7 p.m.
Smoke could be seen from miles away. By the time firefighters got to the scene, the top of the hotel was engulfed.
One man told Channel 8 he saw flames climbing up the west side of the building.
Joshua Johnson was staying at a neighboring hotel and said he heard “an explosion.”
“As soon as I got across the parking lot, the west end of the building blew out,” Johnson said.
He said the windows and part of the roof exploded with the force.
Lincoln Fire & Rescue crews immediately focused on evacuations.
“Our job is to save lives No. 1,” said Battalion Chief Jim Bopp. “We have to get in there and slow the fire down.”
Firefighters started on the top floor and searched for anyone inside. But as they were doing that, part of the roof collapsed.
In part of the hotel, the top two floors fell all the way down to the ground.
Crews were forced to leave the building and fight the flames from above.
Firefighters were up on ladders, spraying the blaze from multiple angles.
Battalion Chief Jim Bopp said this was a challenging situation all around.
“This had a head start on us and we just weren’t able to get on top of it,” he said.
Authorities believe everyone was able to safely evacuate. There are no injuries.
Officials are investigating what caused the blaze. The hotel is a total loss, along with many of the guests’ belongings that were left inside.
Bopp said firefighters will likely be on scene for hours as they monitor hot spots.
