On January 8, 2010, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Omaha Fire Department units responded to a fire at Sempek’s Elkhorn Bowling Alley, located near 204th and Wirt Streets, just south of West Maple Road. At the time, weather conditions were severe, with single-digit temperatures and a wind chill near minus 20 degrees, which made firefighting operations extremely difficult.
Nearly 100 firefighters were involved in battling the two-alarm blaze. Crews rotated fire engines in and out of service as extreme cold caused equipment to freeze. Several fire trucks became inoperable from ice buildup and had to be towed from the scene to be thawed. A nearby gas station served as a warming station where frozen firefighters rotated through for relief.
At one point during the fire, a mayday was declared when an awning on the side of the building collapsed. Initially, it was feared that firefighters might have been trapped, but no injuries were reported.
Firefighters continued their efforts throughout the day, with about 50 still on scene by Thursday evening, nearly 15 hours after the initial alarm. The fire was finally declared under control just before 5:00 p.m. that afternoon. The building was deemed a total loss, and a Keno bar located next to the bowling alley was also destroyed in the fire.
Owner Steve Sempeck stated that leagues had been canceled the night before due to the weather and the bowling alley closed early. He said nothing appeared out of the ordinary when the business was locked up. Sempeck expressed shock at the loss, saying, “Our whole lives revolve around this place. It’s just like losing a member of a family.” Despite the destruction, he emphasized his intent to remain in the bowling business, citing his 23 years of experience and the strong support of the Elkhorn community.
Assistant Fire Marshal Joseph Caniglia later praised the collaboration among firefighters and supporting agencies during the incident, noting that preparation and teamwork contributed to a safe outcome for personnel despite the difficult conditions.
Sources:
First-hand accounts & interviews with participants
https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/10468828/neb-crews-battle-frigid-conditions
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