Lincoln firefighters battle a second blaze on frigid morning

The temperature has gotten even colder and snow is piling up

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – UPDATE: A early morning apartment fire was caused by improperly disposed ashes, according to a Lincoln Fire and Rescue investigator.

The apartment had a total of $40,000 in damages, the investigator says.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – UPDATE: 8:50 a.m. — Channel 8’s Nathan Greve has been told while the whole apartment building was evacuated, the actual fire was limited to a single unit.

The person staying there managed to get out but suffered burns.

No one else was injured.

This investigation is ongoing.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Crews are battling yet another fire this frigid morning in Lancaster County, with the temperature in Lincoln down to 16 degrees.

This latest blaze involves an apartment building at 1215 A Street, where the first calls started coming in around 7:43 a.m.

Channel 8’s own Nathan Greve sees ladders set up outside the windows of an upper floor unit.

Firefighters reported thick black smoke when they arrived.

Right now a dozen units are being called out or are already on scene.

The Red Cross has also been contacted, indicating people staying at the property might not be able to return.

Earlier this morning Lincoln firefighters were called to the village of Roca to help with another blaze.

The temperature at that time was 17 degrees.

These dangerously cold conditions make getting fires under control that much more challenging, as ice from hoses creates a slipping hazard.

In recent weeks a local fire hydrant froze as well, forcing crews to find an alternative.