Nevada Fire Department responds to multiple structure fires over weekend

The Nevada Fire Department (NFD) and emergency personnel had a busy weekend, responding to to four structure fires within two days.

The first fire was on Friday, Jan. 27. The department was called for a front porch fire at 311 N. Perkins St. Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire staring on the porch. A fast response was able to stop the spread of the fire and save the house.

Immediately after returning to the department following the porch fire call, NFD was called to 15894 1375 Road, just north of the city limits, for a garage fire. Upon arrival, flames were showing from a 3-car attached garage. The fire was started by a malfunctioning heater/air conditioning unit in the basement kitchen. One occupant was treated by Vernon County Ambulance District (VCAD) for flash burns to the hands and face. Transport was not necessary. Mutual aid was called for from Milo, Deerfield, and Compton Junction. The fire was called under control within 45 minutes and the State Marshal was called in to assist with the investigation. The on-scene time, with investigation, was seven hours.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, the NFD responded to a house with a fire on the outside of the structure at 802 N. Commercial St. The caller had initially thought the fire was out. On arrival, crews found the house siding melted and sheeting of the house charred. The cause of the fire was found to be discarded smoking materials in a flower pot next to the house. The time on scene was 20 minutes.

Lastly, the NFD responded to a structure fire at the garage beside Casey's on Austin Boulevard. On arrival, crews found a heavy involved fire in the two bays of the garage. Two vehicles inside of the bays were also involved. All occupants were out of the building and Austin Boulevard was closed by the Nevada Police Department for traffic control. Crews of the NFD got a quick knock down of the fire with use of hand lines. Mutual aid was called for from Milo and Comption Junction. No injuries were reported and one canine was removed from the office area of the business. The canine was also uninjured. While doing investigation, it was found that the fire started from using a grinder close to a gas tank on one of the vehicles being repaired. The time on scene was just a little over an hour.