F Street Fire Result of Electrical Issue

Fairbury and Jansen Rural Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene of a house fire at 14th and F Streets in Fairbury on Monday, June 3, 2024, at approximately 12:38 p.m., responding to a report of smoke coming from the front door of a residence. An unusual aspect to the fire was the smoke, which was yellow, and an acrid smell.The initial call went to Fairbury Rural Fire; Jansen Rural Fire was automatically called for mutual aid. Fire Chief Judd Stewart was Incident Command. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene within a minute and advised there was smoke coming from the front door and attic space. Fire apparatus were on scene within seven minutes of the call. Stewart reported that first arriving firefighters set up for an offensive attack through the front door. Initial attack crew made it to the upstairs while second attack crew was sent to the basement. Upstairs, crew found no fire, just high heat and thick smoke. Upstairs crew ventilated through windows to clear the smoke. The attack crew that was sent to the basement found heavy smoke and fire in the basement. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Due to the location of the fire and the construction of the building, crews performed extensive overhaul to ensure there was no fire remaining in the walls on the main floor or the upstairs. Fire was declared out within 45 minutes of the initial call. A Fire Investigator from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to assist with investigation. The fire was determined to be accidental and caused by an electrical issue. Ambulance District 33 was requested to be on scene to assist with firefighter rehab. There were no injuries to firefighters or to any members of the public. Chief Stewart explained the smell was caused by a burning mattress and couch cushions. As to the unusual color of the smoke, that was due to the smoke being filtered through insulation in the house.There were 18 firefighters on scene and 5 fire apparatus. Responding departments were Fairbury Rural and Jansen Rural Fire Departments, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fairbury Light and Water. The American Red Cross was contacted for assistance with finding temporary housing for the displaced residents. Fairbury Rural Fire issued a statement after the fire, “Chief Stewart is grateful for the efforts of the firefighters with the quick response and their efforts in reducing the damage to the residence. Chief Stewart would also like to remind people about the proper use of Power strips in households and offices. Most of the time they are used because there are not enough outlets to meet the electrical demand. The proper use of a power strip usually does not cause a hazard. It’s the improper use that can cause safety issues, such as creating a potential electrical failure and/or a possible fire hazard. An example of using power strips unsafely is when they are 'daisy chained' together, meaning power strips and/or extension cords are plugged into other power strips and/or extension cords.”

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