Omaha fire latest news - Nebraska city evacuated as 'propane tanks explode & walls collapse' in Nox Crete chemical blaze

Foam task force never arrived

When firefighters first arrived at the scene, they requested a foam task force with fire extinguishers.

According to reports from police scanners, dispatch eventually advised that they had missed the original request for a foam task force - meaning that they had never been sent.

Dispatchers also reported that there had been propane tanks exploding and being launched at the scene.

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Firefighters underestimated the fire

Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick told KETV that firefighters first struggled to access the fire before realizing that the blaze was bigger than they anticipated.

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Crews pulled back, knowing that there were chemicals and propane bottles on site.

Nox Crete products

Nox Crete, located at 1415 S 20th St in Omaha, produces chemical sealers for concrete, local media reports.

The chemical company manufactures products like liquid floor hardeners, joint fillers, curing and sealing compounds, and water repellents according to its website.

No toxicity risk

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management has advised that the smoke does not pose toxicity risks for residents in Council Bluffs.

Mass power outage

About 2,500 residents living near the vicinity of the fire were without power as of 9.30pm local time, according to reports.

Explosions caught on camera

Local reporter Sarah Fili caught video footage of the blaze causing walls to collapse.

Explosions can be heard in the video.