Preliminary investigation shows embers from fire pit led to Kearney house fire

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – A home in northwest Kearney is destroyed after a house fire early Monday morning.

The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 6315 40th Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. Crews were told the home was almost engulfed in flames but that all occupants had evacuated.

Once on scene, KVFD said they saw a large house with heavy fire on the back side of the structure and fire coming from all roof vents.

Crews along with help from Pleasanton, Elm Creek and Gibbon Volunteer Fire Departments worked quickly to put out the fire.

KVFD said there were areas of the home that were inaccessible due to safety concerns.

Eventually, the Buffalo County Department of Roads brought in an excavator to help the fire department overhaul the structure.

The State Fire Marshal's Office is still looking into the cause. However, as part of the preliminary investigation, Kearney Fire said there are indications that embers from a fire pit that was used just a couple hours prior to the fire blew against the home and ignited the back side of the house.

The fire department said wind and ventilation played a major factor in how quickly the fire spread through the home.

The Red Cross responded to help the family of five along with their dog after they were displaced.

Other agencies that assisted include the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office, CHI Health Good Samaritan EMS, Northwestern Energy, Black Hills Energy and Dawson Public Power.

KVFD said they responded to multiple fires over the weekend so they are urging people to use extreme caution when utilizing fire pits and fireworks.

Never leave a fire pit unattended and be sure to place ashes and discarded fireworks in a metal bucket full of water to ensure they are fully extinguished.

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