‘All of a sudden … it’s Fourth of July’: Fire destroys two Lincoln homes, damages another

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Several LFR crews battled a house fire in freezing temps Tuesday morning in central Lincoln.

Crews were called to a home engulfed in flames near 25th and L streets around 7 a.m.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue spokeswoman MJ Lierman said the flames then spread to the houses on each side of the home, so more crews were called to the scene.

One neighbor said he heard the noise from inside his home.

“All of a sudden, I’m like, ‘It’s Fourth of July,'” Von said. “I come outside, there’s a fire.”

Von lives down the street from the where the fire sparked but was able to see the damage from his front porch.

“I saw the flames, and I went back inside to warm up because I was so cold,” he said.

A Channel 8 reporter could see smoke from miles away.

Crews used a ladder truck to attack the fire from above.

LFR spokeswoman MJ Lierman said the frigid temperatures created problems for crews.

Firefighters relied on help from the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department, which provided a warm bus for firefighters to take breaks in.

LFR also had to set up backup water sources for firefighters and keep the water running so it didn’t freeze.

“We need to always make sure we always have backup sources and things from different areas on different hydrant lines on the grids,” Lierman said.

Everyone in the homes was able to evacuate, and no one was injured.

Two homes are now a total loss, and one in uninhabitable, according to Lincoln Fire & Rescue.

Investigators said the fire was accidental, but they are still working to determine the cause.

The destruction leaves an impact with neighbors.

“I wasn’t really scared,” Von said. “I was more worried for that family over there because losing a house it a lot. You’re losing memories, you’re losing pictures, it’s just a lot to regain from.”

This is a developing story.  Check with Channel 8 for updates.