City of Beatrice
Update on Dempsters Building Fire Investigation and Demolition Efforts
The State Fire Marshal’s office is continuing its investigation into the fire that broke out at the Dempsters building on Friday, March 21, 2025. The fire, which initially began in a semi-trailer located at the back of the property, is being investigated as incendiary. This classification indicates that the fire was deliberately started, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The Fire Marshal has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
While fire department personnel initially contained the blaze, it quickly spread to the middle of the compound before being extinguished in the early hours of Saturday, March 22, 2025. A partial demolition of the building was then conducted to remove a section of the structure near Highway 77/6th Street. This area was deemed a safety concern due to the risk of collapse onto the street. Another section at the back of the property remains unstable and is expected to be demolished today, March 24, 2025.
As a result of the ongoing demolition efforts, Highway 77/6th Street remains closed. The street will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, though the exact timeline for reopening remains uncertain.
The City would like to clarify that it does not own the entirety of the Dempsters property. As such, the City is currently limited to addressing immediate public safety concerns. The City is actively working to acquire the entire property through the foreclosure process, with the long-term goal of demolishing the existing dilapidated structures and safely disposing of any hazardous materials that may remain.
In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) successfully removed thousands of gallons of old diesel fuel and other hazardous materials from the site. The EPA will continue to be a key partner in addressing any remaining environmental concerns as the City moves forward with the demolition and cleanup process. Any debris from the current demolition will remain on-site while the City continues to collaborate with both the EPA and the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy (NDEE) on the proper disposal of these materials.
The City of Beatrice would like to extend its thanks to all personnel involved in the response efforts, including Beatrice Fire & Rescue, the Beatrice Police Department, and the City’s Electric, Street, Engineering, Water, and Community Development Departments. We also express our gratitude for the mutual aid provided by the Nebraska State Patrol, Gage County Sheriff’s Department, Gage County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Rural Fire, and the Beatrice Rural Fire Department.
The City remains committed to resolving this situation as quickly and safely as possible, and we will continue to keep the public informed of any new developments.
While fire department personnel initially contained the blaze, it quickly spread to the middle of the compound before being extinguished in the early hours of Saturday, March 22, 2025. A partial demolition of the building was then conducted to remove a section of the structure near Highway 77/6th Street. This area was deemed a safety concern due to the risk of collapse onto the street. Another section at the back of the property remains unstable and is expected to be demolished today, March 24, 2025.
As a result of the ongoing demolition efforts, Highway 77/6th Street remains closed. The street will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, though the exact timeline for reopening remains uncertain.
The City would like to clarify that it does not own the entirety of the Dempsters property. As such, the City is currently limited to addressing immediate public safety concerns. The City is actively working to acquire the entire property through the foreclosure process, with the long-term goal of demolishing the existing dilapidated structures and safely disposing of any hazardous materials that may remain.
In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) successfully removed thousands of gallons of old diesel fuel and other hazardous materials from the site. The EPA will continue to be a key partner in addressing any remaining environmental concerns as the City moves forward with the demolition and cleanup process. Any debris from the current demolition will remain on-site while the City continues to collaborate with both the EPA and the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy (NDEE) on the proper disposal of these materials.
The City of Beatrice would like to extend its thanks to all personnel involved in the response efforts, including Beatrice Fire & Rescue, the Beatrice Police Department, and the City’s Electric, Street, Engineering, Water, and Community Development Departments. We also express our gratitude for the mutual aid provided by the Nebraska State Patrol, Gage County Sheriff’s Department, Gage County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Rural Fire, and the Beatrice Rural Fire Department.
The City remains committed to resolving this situation as quickly and safely as possible, and we will continue to keep the public informed of any new developments.