Fire destroys garages, cars

Heavy smoke billowed from an apartment fire Tuesday that damaged six living units and took nearly an hour to bring under control, authorities said.

Ralston, Papillion, La Vista and Omaha firefighters responded to the blaze near 84th and L Streets about 2:15 p.m. Flames could be seen from as far away as Interstate 80.

The fire started in a garage, then spread to an apartment building, said Ralston Fire Chief Kyle Ienn. The cause had not been determined.

One apartment burned, and at least five others had heat, smoke and water damage, Ienn said.

No injuries were reported. A Red Cross spokeswoman said 20 residents were displaced.

Ienn said 11 garages and five vehicles were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at $500,000.

Dozens of residents and neighbors gathered outside to watch the firefighters.

Clarence Green, 25, was alerted to the fire by his coworker at a nearby detail shop.

Green wasn’t certain whether his corner apartment was livable, but said he wasn’t worried.

“I’ll be all right,” he said.

Click to view a PHOTO SHOWCASE of the fire.

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