A Hickman family’s garage
burned to the ground around 2:38 a.m. July 5, possibly due to fireworks thrown away in the
garbage.
Sgt. Andy Stebbing said 41-year-old Jodie and 45-year-old James Carey at
424 Main Street woke up to the barking of the family German Shepherd around 2:38 a.m. and
saw that their attached garage was on fire. The couple and other family members evacuated
the house, but Jodie Carey went back inside to grab a wedding dress since one of their
relatives was scheduled to be married later that day, Stebbing said. Tuxedos also had to
be replaced, he added.
No one was injured, but a pet cat died in the fire, Stebbing said, and a
pet hamster survived. Firefighters from Hickman and Firth responded and put out the blaze,
which caused $25,000 in damage to miscellaneous household contents and $75,000 in damage
to the structure of the house. According to the State Fire Marshal’s office, the fire
most likely began near the outside northeast corner of the garage in a trash can
containing fireworks.
According to sheriff’s reports, the home is insured through Farmers
Mutual Insurance Company. Stebbing said the Red Cross showed up to lend aid.
News of Western Otoe,
Western Johnson, Northern Gage, Southern Cass & Lancaster Counties
