News

Discarded cigarette causes UNO apartment fire

Thursday, February 27, 2014
KETV (Omaha)

On Thursday, fire officials confirmed the fire started as a result of a discarded cigarette on the second-floor balcony of Scott Village's building G, near 63rd and Woolworth streets.

UNO's smoking policy prohibits any smoke or tobacco products inside any university buildings or state-owned vehicles. To smoke on campus, users must be at least 10 feet from any building entrance.

Douglas County attorney Don Kleine said he doesn't believe anyone will face criminal charges from the fire. He said the smoking violation would be a policy issue for the university to decide any discipline.

University staff would not comment on what penalties await whoever is found responsible for starting the fire.

Authorities said the fire was originally believed to have started on the third floor, but investigators discovered the origin on the second floor.

Students were allowed access to their units Thursday to gather necessary items.

“I was watching TV and all of the sudden I see people throw rocks against the window next door and they're yelling, ‘Get out! Get out! Get out!’’ said student Maddie Peterson.

The fire was reported around 3:20 p.m., and it was under control by 6 p.m.

"With the winds today, it made it very difficult. Once the fire communicates into the attic space, the truss roof construction, there's not a whole lot to slow it down," said Battalion Chief Tim McCaw.

McCaw said the third story of the building was destroyed by fire, smoke and water. It is unclear how much damage was caused to the first and second floors.

"Most apartments are usually damaged by fire, or smoke or by water," McCaw said.

McCaw said 48-50 students are displaced due to the blaze. Dr. Dan Shipp, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, said all students who asked for new housing on campus were in a new dorm Thursday. A few students have gone back to live with family for the time being.

"I'm sure my apartment is at least soaked, if not smoke damaged," said student Ryan Peters. "Mostly my clothes were inside, my computer, which had a few important things on it."

University leaders said several metro companies have stepped forward offering help for displaced students as well as other university of Nebraska campuses.

The University of Nebraska Omaha Bookstore gave away $8,000 worth of textbooks, merchandise and other supplies to students affected by the fire.

The UNO Athletic Department said 8 freshman hockey players lived inside the apartment building, two of which were inside their rooms at the time of the fire.

During the two-alarm fire, a nearby apartment building was evacuated due to the wind-driven blaze.

"We did evacuate the building directly to the northeast of the fire building, which contained another 48-50 students, as a precautionary measure because of the winds and the way the fire was going,” McCaw said.

UNO said all students have been accounted for, and none were injured. Fire apparatus engineer Jim Pingel suffered a minor injury and was treated at a nearby hospital.

How To Help

- Housing:
The university has on-campus resources to house any student displaced. "We appreciate all the offers for housing at homes and hotels, but at this point, we do not need to take advantage of these offers," the university said.

- Food donations:
Any food donations can be directed to the Maverick Food Pantry. These can be dropped off at the Milo Bail Student Center – Student Life office on the first floor.

- Monetary Donations:
For anyone who would like to financially support students affected by the fire, the University of Nebraska Foundation has established a fund on its website. Go to nufoundation.org to donate.