Omaha Firefighters Respond to Vacant Home Fire

Crews called Mayday as a precaution during incident on Sunday night.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Omaha Fire Department responded to a fire in a vacant home near Jackson Street and Park Avenue around 11:30 PM on Sunday. While fighting the blaze, firefighters on the second floor briefly called a Mayday as a precautionary measure because they couldn't immediately locate an exit, though no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Why it matters

Vacant home fires pose a significant risk to public safety, as they can spread quickly and endanger nearby occupied structures. The Mayday call highlights the dangers firefighters face when responding to such incidents, underscoring the importance of thorough training and safety protocols.

The details

Firefighters were called to the vacant home near Jackson Street and Park Avenue around 11:30 PM on Sunday. While battling the blaze, crews on the second floor briefly called a Mayday as a precautionary measure because they couldn't immediately locate an exit. However, all firefighters were able to safely exit the structure, and there were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Omaha Fire Department.

  • Firefighters responded to the scene around 11:30 PM on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Omaha Fire Department

The municipal fire department responsible for responding to emergencies and fires within the city of Omaha, Nebraska.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident underscores the inherent dangers that firefighters face when responding to fires, especially in vacant structures where the risk of collapse or entrapment is heightened. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough training, safety protocols, and coordinated emergency response to protect both the public and the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to keep their communities safe.