KEARNEY — Residents were displaced from a home in north Kearney following a structure fire that occurred during the late evening and early morning hours of July 9-10.
At 11:55 p.m., the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to No. 9 Kings Court for the report of a structure fire.
Arriving on scene, heavy fire conditions were reported in the rear of the structure, which was a two-story above grade structure with a basement. Law enforcement reported that four occupants and a dog were able to evacuate the structure prior to KVFD arrival on scene.
KVFD crews initiated a fire attack and primary search operations, the interior crews reported heavy fire conditions when they initially entered the structure.
The fire was brough under control at 12:44 a.m. In total 41 firefighters, two engines, one ladder truck and two utility vehicles had responded to the scene.
Per KVFD, the structure is uninhabitable due to the extensive fire and smoke damage to the rear and interior of the home. There were no injuries reported.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal was requested to assist with the origin and cause investigation. The cause is still under investigation, but the preliminary results indicate the fire was accidental and started as the result of a mosquito repelling stick falling onto or under the wooden deck located at the rear of the structure.
The Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced family.
Other agencies who assisted on scene included the Kearney Police Department, CHI Good Samaritan EMS, Nebraska Public Power District and Northwestern Energy.
