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Fire investigators rule apartment fire caused by “juvenile fire play,” and called it an accident.
Fire crews were call to a three story apartment complex near 30th & Pacific Streets at 9:10 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of smoke in the area.
Omaha Fire PIO Captain Tim McCaw tells Channel 6 News a seven-year-old boy was playing with a lighter and paper in his apartment home Friday night, when a fire accidentally ignited.
Inside an apartment, one adult and two children were in the unit at the time of the fire. Investigators said the fire caused significant damage to the bedroom area with smoke and heat damage throughout the affected unit.
The fire department has determined there was not a working fire detector. Captain McCaw's office said all apartments in Omaha are required to provide a working smoke detector inside each unit; however, it's up to tenants to maintain and keep the detector in working order.
Due to Channel Six News' questions, a fire inspector will be sent back to the apartment to determine whether the tenants were negligent in maintaining the detector; it could lead to a recommendation to have Omaha Police issue a citation.
Captain McCaw said the number one goal in these instances is to educate and encourage proper use and maintenance of smoke detectors.
The Red Cross was called into assist the family. There were no reported injuries.
