Fire at Alliance BNSF Depot causes millions in damage

ALLIANCE, NE — Fire officials in Alliance are estimating a fire at the BNSF facility in town left millions of dollars in damage. 

According to a statement posted to Facebook by the Alliance Fire Department (AFD), Alliance Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker says the overall potential damage is set at about $3 million. The AFD and State Fire Marshal’s Office estimate damage to sensitive electronics to be $2 million. Official damage figures will have to be finalized by BNSF. 

First reports of the flames came just before 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The blaze started on the roof of the BNSF Yard Office. Shoemaker says the damage caused to the roof by the fire allowed the water sprayed to enter the interior, damaging electronics inside.

According to the statement, Shoemaker says railroad officials were able to retrieve some equipment while evacuating the building. Other pieces of equipment, such as signal and switching equipment were not touched by the water or flames. 

Fire officials say the fire was accidental. No cause was given in the statement. 

No injuries were reported during the blaze. Firefighters were on scene until about 5:00 p.m. The Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the fire. 

 

 

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