The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department on scene of the Taco Johns fire on Oct. 9, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The fire that gutted the interior of a Kearney Taco Johns location on Oct. 9 was determined to be accidental, due to a spontaneous combustion event.
According to Adam Matzner, Chief Investigator with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency, the cause of the fire in the restaurant was the spontaneous combination of oil grease rags.
On Oct. 9 at 1:49 a.m., the Buffalo County 911 Communications Center received a security alarm for the Taco Johns located at 419 East 25th St. and a Kearney Police Department officer was dispatched to check on the situation.
Upon arrival, the officer requested that the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department be dispatched due to smoke in the building.
According to the KVFD, upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke throughout the building and smoke pushing through the eves of the structure. Crews made entry into the structure to search for the fire and any occupants.
During this time, the incident commander observed flames coming from through the room and recalled the interior crews and they exited the structure due to safety concerns.
The KVFD crews continued to fight the fire from outside the structure, and the flames were brought under control by 5:16 a.m.
Per the KVFD, there were no occupants in the structure at the time and there were no injuries reported.
The fire gutted the interior of the structure and causes portions of the roof to collapse.
