Grass fire burns homeless encampment in west Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A homeless encampment in west Lincoln was caught up in a grass fire Tuesday, officials said.

The blaze was reported near West B and Southwest First Streets around 5:20 p.m.

No one was injured, but trees and tents were burned, according to Lincoln Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Jeremy Gegg.

LFR called in the Southwest Rural Fire Department to help battle the flames, which were 5 to 10 feet high, Gegg said.

Drones were used in order to locate any potential hot spots while working the area.

Nearby railroad tracks were shut down, and West A Street was closed.

As of 6:30 p.m., the fire was under control, but drones were looking for hot spots, LFR said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.