Firefighters Contend with Dry Hydrants in Omaha Car Lot Blaze

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Firefighters faced unexpected challenges while battling a blaze at a car lot on Saturday afternoon.

Omaha Fire Department crews responded to the fire near 60th and Q streets, arriving to find that several hydrants on the property’s south side were dry. Fire Captain Eric Jeanneret said they had to improvise.

“We ended up calling for four engines, which supplied approximately 2,700 feet of hose to access water from a nearby hydrant,” Jeanneret explained. Once they secured a water source, they were able to quickly fight the fire.

Approximately 25 vehicles were damaged or destroyed in the fire, with no reported injuries. The incident’s cause is still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine how the fire started.

The fire department reminded the public of the importance of maintaining accessible water supplies for emergencies, as dry hydrants can complicate fire response efforts.