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No one injured in house fire

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By LORI PILGER / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 - 02:09:22 pm CST

A house fire tangled up traffic on South 27th Street as students made their way back to school Wednesday morning.

A sofa leg sitting on a space heater’s power cord was to blame for the fire at 2324 S. 27th St., according to Fire Investigator Damon Robbins.

He said one of two tenants woke to the sound of glass breaking. She woke her roommate, they investigated and found the fire in the living room.

Story Photo
The scene of an early-morning fire at 2324 S. 27th St. (Ted Kirk)

Robbins said the fire still was small, and the smoke detector hadn’t sounded yet. Jessica Lee and Jill Hain got out safely and called 911 just before 7 a.m.

Firefighters asked police to block off 27th Street from Sheridan to Van Dorn for about an hour as they worked to put out the fire and clean up. They’d reopened southbound lanes by 8:30 a.m., but traffic was congested as commuters headed for work and parents drove their kids to nearby schools for the first day back after Christmas vacation.

It was hard to tell how long the cord may have smoldered before the fire started, Robbins said. One of the tenants plugged in the space heater after 3 a.m. to keep two pet turtles warm. The turtles survived.

The fire was contained to the room in which it started, but heavy smoke spread through the house, Robbins said. He estimated $50,000 damage to the home, owned by Jerry and Maxine Hain, and $20,000 damage to possessions inside.

The tenants did not have renters insurance.

Robbins reminded people to be careful with space heaters and to be sure not to cover power or extension cords with rugs or anything else that could start on fire.

He advised against using space heaters while sleeping, against using extension cords with space heaters and against leaving heaters plugged in when they’re not in use.

This time of year, Robbins said, people need to be especially careful with space heaters and with candles and fireplaces.


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Nina wrote on January 3, 2007 8:46 am:
" The traffic mess made by the house fire, as well as the traffic mess I encountered this morning (made by an auto accident) reminds me why so many drivers dread daily Lincoln driving. Only one lane was open, traffic was backed up for at least two blocks, and most of those fortunate enough to be in the open lane refused to leave openings for others, sitting there with their blinkers on, trying to merge into the open lane. Shame on those who drive by the "me first at any cost" attitude. "
Deb wrote on January 3, 2007 9:36 am:
" I understand that any delay can be some what stressful, but I don't think people should complain about a few minutes and 2 blocks for a back up. Try sitting for hours on an interstate because of an accident, or waiting 20 minutes for a bridge. Yes, people need to be more courteous and mindful of others, but relax and be thankful you received some advance warning! "
Beth wrote on January 3, 2007 10:26 am:
" I always plan on crosstown trips an extra 20 minutes in this town. Just today, it took 12 minutes too make a routine left turn a particular intersection due to gridlock. it is my understanding that this is common for the intersection at that time of day. It is no use trying to change the streets, just plan for longer trips. "
Penny wrote on January 3, 2007 10:38 am:
" Be Happy that you aren't waiting in the traffic in California , then you'd have something to complain about!!!! I'll take Nebr. traffic anyday .... "
Sean wrote on January 3, 2007 11:08 am:
" I always hear the big city argument..good think you aren't in X city because it's sooo much worse. The point is that Lincoln roads and driving is really much worse than California when you compare it to scale. For example, if California had the same conditions as Lincoln roads and traffic engineering than there would 12 hour delays. California has a lot better engineering and it's the sheer volume of traffic. Lincoln has moderate traffic with stupid engineers. That's a big diff! "
E Jr wrote on January 3, 2007 11:56 am:
" I took the bus today. No problems! "
Good grief wrote on January 3, 2007 11:56 am:
" Poor spoiled greedy babies!!!! Shows how some people weren't taught to be considerate, respectful, courteous or even taken to Sunday School!!! Lincoln traffic doesn't hold a candle to cities east of the Mississippi. For years I sat in traffic lines 4 & 5 miles long every day to & from work. Never thought anything about it. Always took me over an hour to drive 20 miles, be it thru the city or around on the interstate. Fires & accidents holding people up in Nebraska and people whine, cry, growl etc. I've found those type usually one day find themselves in worse problems and then want pity and expect the world to stop for them and their feelings!!! "
Fire! wrote on January 3, 2007 12:00 pm:
" Did anyone read more than the first two lines of the article? There was a house fire and no one was hurt! "
That's the spirit... wrote on January 3, 2007 12:10 pm:
" A couple of people could have very easily died in a fire, they lose nearly all of their possessions, but all you can think about is how the fire made you wait in traffic for 5 minutes. And you have the audacity to complain about OTHER people on top of that...wow. Bitter much? "
An obvious choice... wrote on January 3, 2007 12:17 pm:
" And how many people sat in traffic rather than turning onto a side street and finding a different route? It seems to me that a little mental flexibility would go a long way in this kind of situation. "
Thankful wrote on January 3, 2007 12:29 pm:
" I will wait in traffic any day (for any amount of time) if it means emergency crews can do their jobs. We need to be thankful that neither of these women lost more than material possesions. Lincoln would not be the great "big, little city" that we all love if it had expressways cutting through it. "
Ron wrote on January 3, 2007 1:07 pm:
" After living in Lincoln, and now living in Houston, Lincoln traffic is nothing. I am glad that no one is hurt that is what is important "
Current California Resident wrote on January 3, 2007 2:20 pm:
" Complaints of the traffic while lives are being saved? You have got to be kidding me. As a current CA driver, even I don’t have that type of complaint. You learn to deal with it...its called patience. "
Important lesson wrote on January 3, 2007 2:25 pm:
" I am glad everyone is ok. That is the most important thing. Its a hard lesson to learn just how important having renters insurance can be. "
Nina wrote on January 3, 2007 5:10 pm:
" Yep - glad no one was hurt in the house fire, but the initial story was about warning drivers to avoid the area because of traffic snarls - the report hadn't yet come in about the house fire. So it wasn't that people didn't care, it was just that traffic comments were added in to the revised story which told details about the house fire. Don't judge too quickly! "
Chandra wrote on January 3, 2007 6:29 pm:
" I love you girls!! and I'm so glad that you are both doing well and so are Donnie and Denver (the turtles). You are in my prayers and you can sleep knowing that the traffic comments are crap. "
Fire wrote on January 3, 2007 8:48 pm:
" Good Job LFR another good stop! Once again LFR saves life and property from distruction! Thanks "
Crabby wrote on January 4, 2007 1:58 am:
" So you were a few minutes late for work or an appointment. Who really cares. The fact remains that two young women and their turtles :) and property survived an accidental fire. Thank goodness for their survival and much luck to them as they recover from the loss of their property. Quit being such an inconsiderate driver yourself and be thankful that these young women survived such a terrible event. The news was all over the radio and online Journal Star, taking a few extra minutes to get around this did not change the course of your life. Quit whining! "
Angela wrote on January 4, 2007 5:53 am:
" Some of you people really make me laugh. You are complaining about traffic being backed up for a few mins....wow. I'm really surprised at some of you. It's sad the types of things that people can find to complain about now a days. Instead of complaining about the traffic being backed up for a couple mins, why not be thankful that you even made it to your destination in the first place? "
GMP wrote on January 4, 2007 1:36 pm:
" I am thankful the girls and turtles were okay, and that no firefighters were injured. For those complaining, hope this never happens to you. "
Fremont wrote on January 6, 2007 10:17 pm:
" My brother lives next door and to me it's a blessing that the tenants or animals or anyone helping them were injured. Possessions can be replaced appointments can be rescheduled but lives cannot. "

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