UPDATE: Apartment Fire Caused by Discarded Cigarette

Lincoln, Neb. Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews responded to a fire in south Lincoln near 48th and Old Cheney Monday afternoon.

The call came in shortly after 3:40pm for a fire at The Lodge apartments at 4621 Briarpark Drive.

Shortly after the initial call, crews upgraded it to a second alarm.

A viewer submitted a picture showing the balcony in flames.

Fire Inspector Ken Hilger said an improperly discarded cigarette on the balcony of the apartment got in between the wood flooring. Hilger said there was enough wind to keep it smoldering and catch the wooden balcony on fire.

Inspector Hilger estimated $75,000 in structural damage and at least $25,000 in damage to content inside. At least one unit is unlivable, but it's up to people who live in neighboring apartments whether they want to stay Monday night.

LFR Battalion Chief Jeanne Pashalek said people who live in the complex, but were not affected directly by the fire were able to go back inside as of 6:00pm.

Pashalek said fire crews could see heavy smoke on the way to the apartment.

Fire investigators are on scene, but have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

A neighbor told 10/11 he saw the fire on the deck but LFR could not confirm that's where it started.

Pashalek said crews faced some hydrant issues initially. She said they couldn't get them open and at first they had no water to fight the fire. But crews were able to eventually hook up to a fire hydrant on Old Cheney and got the fire put out.

Lincoln Police shut down one north and southbound lane of 48th Street, as well as Old Cheney Road between 48th Street and Abbott Road. Those roads were re-opened before 6pm.

From Source: http://www.nbcneb.com/home/headlines/Crews-Responding-to-Fire-on-Apartment-Balcony-317618051.html