Massive THREE ALARM fire at Omaha's Nox Crete chemical factory forces residents to rush for shelter
A massive fire raging at a chemical plant in Omaha, Nebraska, forced residents to evacuate their homes as black plumes of smoke and explosions billowed over the area. Shocking photos and videos from the locals emerged on social media late on Monday evening, showing thick, black smoke clouds billowing over the Nebraska city's downtown area. The cause of the fire is unclear.
The fire reportedly started at around 7 pm local time, and it's unclear what sparked it. Officials with the Omaha Fire Department said that the walls of the building started to collapse. The fire department informed that around 50 firefighters had been deployed to battle the flames and warned people to shelter in place on Monday night due to chemical fumes burning in the blaze.
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Locals shared many photos and videos of the blazing fire and billowing smoke.
Not good @omaha_scanner pic.twitter.com/oPJan8ZV1t
— Scott Blackwell (@coachblackwell5) May 31, 2022
The Omaha Fire Department wrote on Twitter that they are on the scene and are asking people to steer clear of the area as more units arrive.
Media at the third alarm fire please report to the north side of the 1415 S 20th St address by the OPD office blocking traffic on 20th Street just before the railroad bridge. We will have a quick press conference in 10 minutes at 8:07pm
— Omaha Fire Department (@OmahaFireDept) May 31, 2022
Later, the department tweeted, "All that have been recommended to evacuate we have opened up the Columbus Community Center at 1523 S 24th St," adding, "If you need a place to shelter please go there, and we will also have Red Cross there to help out."
All that have been recommended to evacuate we have opened up the Columbus Community Center at 1523 S 24th St. If you need a place to shelter please go there and we will also have Red Cross there to help out.
— Omaha Fire Department (@OmahaFireDept) May 31, 2022
Pottawattamie County Emergency Management said that the smoke rising from the chemical plant posed no risks of toxicity outside of the evacuation zone. Omaha Fire Department said that the explosions were likely caused by propane tanks and chemicals igniting inside the building. No injuries have been reported, and the Omaha World-Herald reported that the building was evacuated when the fire started.
Smoke Info - Omaha Fire ... at this time Fire officials on scene have advised there is no toxicity concerns or Council Bluffs. Their current protective measures end at 13th St based on their operations and monitoring. pic.twitter.com/py81p0aRBx
— Pottawattamie Co EMA (@pottcoema) May 31, 2022
Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick told KETV that firefighters first struggled to access the fire before realizing that the blaze was bigger than they anticipated. Crews pulled back, knowing that there were chemicals and propane bottles on site.
About 2,500 residents living near the vicinity of the fire were without power as of 9.30 pm local time, according to reports. At around 10.24 pm local time, the Omaha Fire Department posted on Facebook that the area is "still an active fire scene." "We are recommending evacuations from 13th to 20th Leavenworth to Martha, due to the smoke from the fire," the department said, adding pictures of the giant flames.
Around 10.40 pm local time, the Omaha Fire Department posted on their Facebook that those recommended to evacuate can go to the Columbus Community Center at 1523 S 24th St. The department added that Red Cross will also be at the Center to assist anyone in need.
