Elwood fire chief loses life fighting fire
GOSPER and FURNAS COUNTIES - A fire near Elwood and Araphaoe took the life of Elwood Fire Chief Darren Krull.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, a fatality crash occurred on Highway 283 Thursday afternoon, April 7, during response to the large fire southeast of Elwood. Both vehicles involved were assisting in the fire response.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m., when a Ford Expedition, driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris, with passenger Darren Krull, Chief of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department, was struck head on by a truck hauling water, approximately eight miles north of Arapahoe on Highway 283.
Chief Krull, 54, of Elwood, passed away at the scene. Norris, 40, of Holdrege, was transported to the hospital in Cambridge with life-threatening injuries. He was then transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney in stable condition. He has since been transferred to a hospital in Omaha
The driver of the water truck, Andries Van Aswegan, 28, of Arapahoe, was not injured in the crash. The fire and smoke in the area had created zero-visibility conditions on the roadway at the time of the crash.
“Our hearts are with all involved in this tragic crash, as well as those affected by the fire,” Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said. “Please keep the firefighters, farmers, emergency managers, law enforcement officers, volunteers, and all others involved in this fire response in your thoughts.”
Elwood, is in Gosper County, about 14 miles southwest of Lexington. Araphahoe is in Furnas County, about 20 miles south of Elwood.
Nebraska Emergency Management (NEMA) reported that the fire burned nearly 30,000 acres. Both counties issued emergency declarations April 8 requesting state assistance.
Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a state emergency declaration which allows state assets and the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used for the response.
The fire began Thursday, April 7, around noon, seven miles southwest of Elwood. Around 40 fire departments from across the state were on scene. Four local emergency managers from across the state were also deployed to assist in command and control.
Investigators with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal agency have determined the cause of the fire was accidental as a result of strong winds blowing a dead tree into a power line.
Also assisting were individual from Wildland Incident Response Assistance Team from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency, NSFM and NEMA.
Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters with crews, a 25-person Wildland Taskforce hand crew and support vehicles from the Nebraska National Guard were deployed. A Nebraska State Patrol helicopter flew a recognizance flight to provide information to incident command.
Eight structures and 48 outbuildings were destroyed in the blaze.
On April 8, Incident Commander Brian Sisson stated, “We are appreciative of all the efforts the firefighters are making to work this fire. We also need thank the community for their expressions of support.”
The American Red Cross arrived at Arapahoe to provide assistance as needed.
An evacuation order for the village of Edison had been issued on April 7 and was lifted April 8.
“NEMA staff are thinking of the family of Chief Darren Krull of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department who was tragically killed in a head on collision while responding to the fire,” NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis said. “We are keeping Phelps County Emergency Management Director Justin Norris in our thoughts as he recovers from his injuries.”
On Tuesday, April 12, Governor Pete Ricketts ordered flags to fly at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday to honor Krull.
“Susanne and I were heartbroken to receive news of the passing of Fire Chief Krull,” Gov. Ricketts said. “Our prayers go out to his family and community as they mourn his loss. The bravery shown by Fire Chief Krull exemplifies the selfless service that makes our state great. As we reflect on his heroic sacrifice, we’re reminded of the courageous firefighters working in harm’s way across Nebraska to protect lives and property. We salute their dedication and pray for their safety.”