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Feb. 8, 1995
HARTINGTON — Fire officials blamed an electric blanket for a blaze that damaged the Hartington Hotel Wednesday morning.
Quick response to the fire is credited with keeping the blaze contained to the southwest end of the historic three-story facility.
Three rooms in the 24-room facility were completely gutted by the fire. The rest of the building suffered heavy smoke damage.
All 12 people staying in the facility were evacuated safely. No one has been allowed to inhabit the facility since the fire. The Nebraska Fire Marshall’s office is mandating that several changes be made before the facility can be opened again. Hartington Ho-tel owner Jean Larson said she was awakened at about 6:30 Wednesday morning by her father, who said his electric blanket was on fire.
She called 911, then attempted to douse the flames herself using a fire extinguisher.
The Hartington Volunteer Fire Dept. responded to the fire and immediately started working to make sure everyone was out of the threestory brick building.
Hartington Fire Chief Gerald Fischer surveyed the situation and quickly called for backup support. Fire departments from Coleridge, Crofton, Wynot and Fordyce responded. Over 50 fire fighters were poised and ready to battle the fire if needed.
Fischer said a combination of hard work, good planning and luck helped the fire fighters.
”Everything just fell into place for us,” Fischer said. “That building is just in a very critical place. We knew that with a good south wind, you could lose the entire block to a fire.”
Most of the area fire crews were able to leave the scene by 7:45 a.m.
The Hartington City Council on Monday was told the Hartington Hotel will not stay unattended for long.
Tim Kuchta told the Council Monday the fire has had no affect on his plans to renovate the facility. It was feared the fire might keep developers from refurbishing the building.
The city has been working with developers for several years on plans to renovate the 78-year old structure.
