It was a busy Thursday evening for firefighters in Scottsbluff and Gering.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m., crews from the Scottsbluff Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire in the 2200 block of 3rd Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters found an active fire on the west exterior side of a two car detached garage which had consumed a large amount of a cedar fence, remains of a downed tree and some items that had been stored along the garage, which extended to the garage and caused approximately $15,000 in damages.
Scottsbluff Fire Prevention Officer Chris Perales says crews had the fire knocked down within 10 minutes of arrival and remained on scene for approximately two hours to extinguish hot spots. One citizen was evaluated on scene by Regional West EMS for difficulty breathing and possible smoke inhalation but was not transported to the hospital.
Gering Fire provided mutual aid and responded with two Engines, and 11 personnel, and had four on standby. Also on scene was Scottsbluff Police Department, NPPD, and Black Hills Energy.
Perales tells KNEB News the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time, however it’s believed to have started in some dead vegetation.
“This serves as a reminder that while we have had some moisture this winter, it is still dry, and people need to be aware that with a competent ignition source, dead vegetation will ignite and can spread rapidly,” said Perales.
