SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – A structure fire at an apartment complex on East 14th Street in Scottsbluff prompted a multi-agency emergency response Monday night, sending one person to the hospital for smoke inhalation and displacing several residents.

The Scottsbluff Fire Department was dispatched around 8:45 p.m. to 320 E. 14th St., where Engine One responded with six firefighters. Mutual aid was requested from Gering Fire, which also responded with six personnel. A second alarm was issued shortly after.

Scottsbluff Police arrived on scene first and began evacuating residents. One individual in the apartment where the fire originated was evaluated and transported by Regional West EMS to Regional West Medical Center. That individual remains in stable condition.

Fire crews encountered heavy flames upon arrival but were able to knock down the fire within 10 minutes of the initial page and contain it to the apartment where it began.

An investigation determined the fire started in a bedroom, likely caused by smoking materials. Firefighters also discovered that several other units in the complex had inoperable smoke detectors due to removed batteries, despite being equipped with alarms.

“While we cannot control what residents do within their homes, we don’t encourage smoking inside,” the department said in a statement. “We also encourage everyone to have working smoke alarms in their residences.”

Due to damage to the building's utilities, several residents were displaced. Some were assisted by the Firefighter Ministry, while others made alternative arrangements. All affected individuals were provided with resource cards for follow-up support.

Additional responding agencies included NPPD, Regional West EMS, Scottsbluff Police, Black Hills Energy, and Tower 1. The Scottsbluff Fire Department thanked the Scotts Bluff County Communications Center for their coordination and support.