UPDATE: UNO dorm fire caused by discarded cigarette

By: Channel 8 Newsroom
8@klkntv.com

UPDATED INFO:  Omaha fire investigators
say Wednesday's fire was caused by a discarded cigarette on a second floor
balcony.

The UNO students
affected by the fire are getting help with replacing some of their school
necessities.

“Up at the
bookstore we can just go up there and check out and don't have to pay for any
of that stuff so that's really good,” says Eric Anderson.

UNO is using all recourses
to help the fire victims.

Sue Gildersleeve, UNL
Director of Housing, says they would do the same, if this were to happen at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“A place to
sleep, cloths to wear, that the community in many cases is helping to
supply.  We're certainly going to help
out with that,” explains Gildersleeve.

The university is not
liable for personal property.

Housing university
contracts recommend student look over renter's insurance policies.

Parents should check
to see if their student is covered by their homeowners insurance.

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Flames engulfed the roof of a dorm on the University
of Nebraska, Omaha campus Wednesday afternoon.

The 2-alarm fire broke out around 3:15. Flames could be seen shooting
from Building G in UNO's Scott
Village, and smoke could
be seen for miles.

Officials say the fire started on the third floor, but quickly made its
way to the attic because of high winds.

“I was watching TV, then all of a sudden, I hear people throwing
rocks against the window next door yelling get out! Get out,” a female
student who lives in the dorm said.

Fire fighters say the blaze was contained to one building, but nearby
dorms were evacuated because of concerns of the fire spreading.

“I look out my window and I see smoke billowing from the seams of
the roof and then I walk outside to the front and all of a sudden there were just
big plumes everywhere,” the female student said.

Each floor of the three story building houses four, four-bedroom
apartments.

About 50 students live in the dorm. UNO officials say all of them have
been accounted for.

Fortunately, no students were injured. But one fire fighter was taken
to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

Officials say the third floor is completely destroyed. Students are
being moved to either Mammel Hall or Scott
Food Court.

There is no word yet on the cause of the fire. The Red Cross was
on hand, and UNO has provided mental health counselors for students and their
families. 

UNO encourages anyone who wants to be helpful to send your donations to
the local “Heartland Chapter” of the American Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org/ne/omaha.