PLATTSMOUTH - Fire departments from Plattsmouth, Murray and Offutt Air Force Base responded to a house fire at the 400 block of 2nd Ave. in Plattsmouth on Tuesday evening.
A call to 911 at 5:38 p.m. reported heavy smoke coming from the second floor. When officials arrived on scene they saw smoke from both the first and second floors.
The occupants of the house, a family of three, were at work and not home at the time of the fire. One of the occupants kicked in the door upon arrival and encountered heavy flames.
Firefighters needed less than 30 minutes to get control of the blaze, which appeared to originated in a first-floor bedroom.
The family's three cats and a dog passed away in the fire. Plattsmouth EMS was able to revive one cat at the scene.
The district has seen an increase in house fires the past couple months, according to Plattsmouth Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief Bill Dudek. He says they have fought nine house fires in 2018.
"With this time of year we do have an increase with fireworks (accidents). Without going through the investigation I can't tie those two (Tuesday's house fire and fireworks) together. This time of year watch where you put fireworks, have a plan to put them out and properly dispose of them."
One firefighter was treated for heat-related stress unrelated to battling the blaze. He was taken to an area hospital as a precaution.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Cass County Emergency Management Agency also reported to the scene.
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Plattsmouth family loses three cats and a dog in house fire
