Fremont County officials have confirmed that the Whiskey Springs venue caught fire early Tuesday morning. Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator Clayton Long tells KMA News that fire crews from Sidney were initially dispatched to the structure in the 2400 block of Bluff Road north of Highway 2 at around 3:30 a.m. Long says mutual aid was quickly requested from multiple area departments.
“Upon arrival, the Sidney Fire crews saw that the structure was fully engulfed,” said Long. “A mutual aid call was put out and responding agencies were Hamburg, Riverton, Farragut, Tabor, and Nebraska City.” At this time, Long says there are no reported injuries or fatalities from the blaze. As of roughly 9 a.m., Long says crews from Sidney, Hamburg, and Riverton are still actively working to fully subdue the fire.
“They had to get heavy equipment in, an excavator to move around the remaining portion of the north side of the building,” he said. “The tin roof was also preventing them from getting water on, but it’s nearing the end.”
Long says they are also asking the motoring public to avoid the section of Bluff Road during their morning commutes because of the equipment still staged around the roadway. “If you can find an alternative route to proceed to work this morning, the road is staged with heavy equipment and response apparatus,” Long explained. “So we would ask the public to remain clear of the area.”
Long says the building is expected to be a total loss. He adds that officials with the State Fire Marshal’s Office have been called to assist with the investigation into the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time. KMA News continues to monitor this situation, with more information to be provided as it becomes available.
