Electrical wiring in neon sign started Bert’s Pharmacy fire in Hastings, fire marshal says

HASTINGS, NE — Investigators say a faulty neon sign is to blame for a fire that destroyed a pharmacy in downtown Hastings.

Hastings Fire Marshal Anthony Murphy says he reviewed the scene, early photographs and witness statements from the fire at Bert’s Pharmacy late on March 13th. He determined it was accidental and related to electrical wiring in the neon sign.

A city news release says early reports place the damage at more than $1 million to the pharmacy and the connected Hastings Visitor Center. Nearby buildings suffered thousands of dollars in smoke damage.

Parking is still unavailable in the alley north of the building and in the parking area to the east. Murphy and the city building official are continuing to monitor the building for structural stability.

Murphy credited smoke alarms and a tenant in a nearby apartment for alerting authorities to the fire.

“This incident is a perfect example of smoke alarms saving lives, and it helped save the downtown area,” Murphy said in a news release.

There were no injuries related to the fire.