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\nAn overnight lightning strike is believed to be the cause of a \u201cdevastating\u201d fire that consumed one of three locations for the Vine Grove Fire Department.<\/p>\n
\nAn overnight lightning strike is believed to be the cause of a \u201cdevastating\u201d fire that consumed one of three locations for the Vine Grove Fire Department.<\/p>\n
Standing outside the burnt out cinder block building on North Mill Street alongside the railroad tracks, Mayor Pam Ogden, Fire Chief Matthew Haddle and former fire chief Steve New among others were surveying the damage.<\/p>\n
Haddle said the official cause of the fire will be determined by the state investigator.<\/p>\n
The department was dispatched at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, but it was after someone from a nearby apartment building saw the flames. By the time the department arrived, the building was fully engulfed.<\/p>\n
Haddle said it took probably about 45 minutes to get it under control.<\/p>\n
The morning left a building, one of three for the department, without a roof and all the vehicles inside incinerated. The cider block wall on the right side of the building also was collapsed.<\/p>\n
Mostly used for storage, the building held one of the city\u2019s first two original fire trucks, a 1941 Howe engine; a pumper truck and a utility brush truck used to access rural areas and other purposes.<\/p>\n
Haddle said the truck, which once sat outside Vine Grove Elementary School on its playground, was purchased privately and restored. The city purchased it from the private owner.<\/p>\n
What hurts is the sentimental loss, Haddle said, especially of two vehicles that are irreplaceable.<\/p>\n
The Donna Joy, a retired fire truck turned breast cancer tribute and painted pink, also was heavily damaged as it was parked in a fenced yard adjacent to the right side of the building.<\/p>\n
Haddle said the building also stored 100% of the supplies the department uses for its annual Santa Truck, where they decorate a fire engine with lights, music and other effects and take Santa Claus on a tour of the city during Christmas festivities.<\/p>\n
The building was not equipped with smoke detectors or a sprinkler system, Haddle said, adding it wasn\u2019t required because of its size.<\/p>\n
Just hours after the fire, Haddle said two mutual aid departments have offered a pumper truck to replace the one lost in the fire.<\/p>\n
The department was assisted on the scene by Rineyville and Flaherty fire departments and the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n
Ogden said she is thankful the crews responding to the fire were safe.
\nSource: NE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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