An investigation is underway after a house fire in Crete killed three people Wednesday.
The Saline County 911 Center received a call about a porch fire at 5:30 p.m. in the area of 16th Street and West Avenue. The Crete Volunteer Fire Department, Crete Police Department and Saline County Sheriff’s office responded to the scene and found the home engulfed in flames, according to a news release from the Crete Police Department.
Crete Police Chief Gary Young said in an interview with TV station 10/11 that a preliminary investigation showed the fire may have been caused by a propane grill on the partially enclosed patio attached to the house.
One person was able to escape the fire, but firefighters were unable to rescue three others, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The names of those individuals are being withheld until next of kin can be notified.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. Officials with the office could not be reached for comment Thursday.