Hastings House Fire Wednesday Afternoon

(Hastings, NE) - Hastings Fire & Rescue responded to a fire around 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 20 at 1325 W. Fourth St. The residents were home, got out safely and reported the fire themselves. Hastings Rural Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid. Hastings Police Department, Hastings Utilities, the City of Hastings Street Department and American Red Cross also provided assistance. 

The family has been displaced temporarily and is receiving aid from the American Red Cross. Hastings Fire & Rescue was on scene until 5 p.m. The fire was determined to be unintentional, caused by the accumulation of smoking materials in a container that later caught fire.

All of the family pets were unharmed during the incident. Hastings Fire & Rescue would like to stress the importance of properly discarding smoking materials and cleaning out ashtrays frequently, along with working smoke alarms. The fire had blocked the rear exit from the home, highlighting the importance of having two ways out and practicing them with your children. Damage is estimated at over $76,000 in property and contents.