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Update: Gas on Floor Sparks Evacuation

Omaha police say a heated argument between roommates turned dangerous when one of them dumped gasoline on floor of their second floor apartment Monday night.

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Reporter: WOWT

Omaha police say a heated argument between roommates turned dangerous when one of them dumped gasoline on floor of their second floor apartment Monday night.

Fire crews were called to the Pacific Winds Apartments, just southeast of 124th & Pacific around 9:45 p.m.

"We had to air it out all day and we couldn't stay here last night," said Lynda Gustin who lives directly below the apartment where gasoline got on the floor.

She feels disrespected as a person -- as a neighbor. "It was endangering all of the people in the apartment building...and that all of us could die."

Dozens of people had to be evacuated.

Omaha firefighters tossed the gas soaked carpet out a window.

After the argument, police say one of the roommates says she spilled gasoline on the living room carpet as she moved out of the place.

For some reason -- according to investigators -- she kept a small gas can around for emergencies.

"You're not supposed to have gasoline in this place. I feel they were up to something. I don't know what it is but i think they were up to something. You don't just spill gasoline. Why would gasoline be up there?"

Lynda Gustin is thankful there was no fire and no lives lost. "The most I feared was for people's lives here. And she wasn't thinking of anyone but herself....and over an argument. That's ridiculous."

Omaha firefighters are reminding us all not to store gasoline in an apartment or our home. Any spark or candle or even a pilot light from the furnace or gas stove could be enough to ignite the strong fumes of gasoline.

No one has yet been arrested for this felony destruction of property.