Grass fire started by train rekindles west of Kearney

Dave Griek

KEARNEY, Neb. — A train starting a fire west of Kearney at around 7 a.m. and it was put out during the morning hours by the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department.

At around 3:20 p.m., a new call came in for visible flames re-igniting in the same area.

Firefighters from the KVFD were called back out to an area around 6 miles west of town as the flames were close to the train tracks. Elm Creek Fire and Rescue served mutual aid.

KVFD had to touch base with Union Pacific to make sure trains knew of what could be in their path, and they halted passing through until around 7:15 p.m., nearly four hours later.

Crews were on scene to monitor the first trains coming through.

They stuck around to "mop up" the remaining areas and douse any other hot spots in and around the trees.

Kearney Fire Administrator Jason Whalen tells News Channel Nebraska the fire was around 3/4 of a mile long and 50 yards wide.