Firefighters from Elkhorn and Waterloo were simultaneously called to a reported building fire at the Dick's Hillrise Supermarket in Elkhorn, Nebraska at 8:39 PM on December 21st. The initial response included E-231, E-232, L-250, AC-202 from Elkhorn and E-830, E-831, AMB 810 from Waterloo.
Asst. Chief Dan Mallory (AC-202) arrived on scene first to discover a working fire showing from the roof of the grocery store. E-231 initiated an interior attack from the A-side of the structure while L-250 provided roof ventilation for the attack crews. E-830 established a water supply and E-831 was sent to the C-side of the building to investigate and to perform forcible entry.
A 2nd alarm was called to assist the initial crews with personnel. An interior attack was still being attempted using 2 1/2" and 1 3/4" handlines. The 2nd alarm responding units included E-44, from Omaha and E-930 from Boys Town along with AMB 211, AMB 210, Chief 201, E-230 and Utility 260 from Elkhorn.
A 3rd alarm was summoned to relieve crews from the 1st alarm. Responding units included E-56 and Batt. 4 from Omaha and E-630 from Bennington. A special call was made for L-44 and Res. 65 from Omaha. Crews were evacuated from the building and a defensive attack was conducted with the use of L-250 and L-44.
The Salvation Army and local police were on scene to assist the firefighters in the effort.
The grocery store was part of a strip mall. Major fire damage was confined to the grocery store while minor damage occurred to the occupancy adjacent to the grocery store.
A total of 72 firefighters were on scene battling the blaze and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal is still investigating the cause of the fire.
