PLATTSMOUTH – The home of young Plattsmouth couple in Rox Ridge Acres was destroyed by fire Thursday morning, but no one was harmed.

Assistant Fire Chief Leroy Lewis said first responders saw flames coming out of the roof the structure on Cindy Lane, but the home owner had arrived before them and was able to confirm there was no one inside.

Lewis: “Upon arrival we found the house was fully involved in fire. At that point, due to the extreme conditions of the cold weather and manpower issues, being an all-volunteer department, we put out an all call for numerous agencies.”

The Plattsmouth Airport reported a wind chill of negative 31 degrees about 90 minutes before the fire was reported.

Lewis said the nearest fire hydrant was about 3 miles away, so firefighters depended on tanker trucks that were experiencing freezing issues.

 

He said firefighters conducted an exterior assault on the fire.

Lewis: “Nobody was able to go inside due to the conditions and the roof was already collapsing upon our arrival.”

He said mutual aid was needed to relieve firefighters due to the extreme cold because their gear was soon covered with ice. A neighbor provided a warming space and Cass County Emergency Management brought its warming trailer.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office responded Thursday afternoon to investigate the fire.

Lewis: “It wasn’t fully engulfed, but we had flames shooting out of the garage area.”

Mutual aid was requested of Murray, Weeping Water, Avoca, Louisville, Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base and there was an  all-tanker response from Sarpy County.