Factory fire out; Nebraskans go home

OMAHA, Neb. — A large fire that raged through a Nebraska chemical plant was extinguished by Tuesday morning and nearby residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes, authorities said.

Thick smoke billowed from the Nox-Crete facility just southwest of downtown Omaha that could be seen as far away Monday evening as the Elkhorn River, about 20 miles west.

Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick said the first call for help came shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, and firefighters who entered the building found a much bigger fire than they had anticipated, forcing them to retreat.

Fire crews then fought the fire from outside, noting the presence of chemicals and propane bottles inside. Explosions occurred as propane tanks ruptured.

No injuries were reported from the fire or explosions. Officials said the smoke posed no major toxicity risks to the public.

The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known. Nox-Crete makes a chemical coating and deactivator that keeps curing concrete from bonding to forms. It also makes liquid floor hardeners, joint fillers, curing and sealing compounds and water repellents.

A woman who answered the phone at company headquarters Tuesday said the company did not have a statement.

Those living nearby were initially encouraged to shelter in place, but an alert sent just before 9 p.m. urged some to evacuate. The nearby Columbus Community Center was opened as a temporary shelter.

The Omaha Public Power District said more than 2,500 customers were without electricity in the neighborhoods near the fire Monday night, but power had been restored to all but a handful by Tuesday morning.