Fire damages house, nearby structures near Lake Minatare

A house fire on Wednesday afternoon in Minatare has left a local man without a home.

Calls for assistance came in at around 1 p.m., a single story home on County Road 28 had caught on fire, right now the official cause for the fire is still unknown but homeowner George Schaneman may have an idea.

Schaneman was at home watching television with a friend when he heard a loud pop, what he thinks was a tire. When he went outside to check, the building next to his home was on fire, he suspects a short from a drop cord may have caused it.

Schaneman says the fire grew and the wind had spread fire to his home quickly. Fortunately, all occupants got out in time and no injuries were reported. Schaneman was able to get both his dog and kitten out on time.

“I looked out the window and the building next door was on fire and our water quit working, our pump shut off for some reason. I believe it was a short from a drop cord that was connected to my house that caught the trailer on fire next to my house and took out my house too,” said Schaneman.

Minatare/Melbeta, Gering and Scottsbluff Rural Fire Departments were on the scene along with the Scotts Bluff County Sherriff’s office and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Schaneman says he’s only lived in the home for four months, it was given to him by his mother. Firefighter Ministries arrived on the scene shortly after and offered assistance.

This is a developing story; more details will be released when they become available.