Wildfire fire near Kearney destroyed home, brush truck

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An electrical spark caused a destructive weekend wildfire near Kearney, officials said Monday.

The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was initially called to the fire near Dove Hill Avenue and West 18th Street on Saturday.

The agency requested mutual aid from multiple departments as the dry conditions and strong winds caused the fire to spread quickly.

Officials said the direction of the wind shifted “multiple times,” complicating the fire attack.

About a dozen farmers used tractors and discs to help make fire breaks in hopes of slowing the flames.

In total, 27 fire departments responded to the scene.  It took “several hours” to bring the fire under control, according to officials.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal determined the fire started when a power line rubbed a tree branch, causing an electrical arc.

The sparks from the electrical arc then ignited the dry vegetation.

The fire burned about 640 acres and destroyed a home, shop, barn and a Kearney Fire Department brush truck.

Two firefighters were taken to a hospital for minor injuries and illness.  They have since been treated and released.