Omaha, NE (December 30, 2024) – A tragic house fire claimed the life of an elderly woman, Nancy Dugan, on Sunday evening in North Omaha. The incident occurred at a home near Corby and North 60th streets, close to the Benson area, just after 6:30 p.m.
When firefighters from the Omaha Fire Department (OFD) arrived, they found Dugan unresponsive inside the house. Crews rescued her, along with a cat, and managed to extinguish the fire within 20 minutes. Despite their efforts, Dugan succumbed to her injuries, as confirmed by OFD in an update on Monday afternoon.
The fire caused extensive damage, with an estimated $50,000 in losses to the $174,000 property. Most of the home’s contents were also destroyed. OFD’s Fire Investigation Division, along with local law enforcement, is investigating the cause of the blaze.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased individual.
A Community in Mourning
Dugan’s brother, Clark Wells, expressed his heartbreak as he sifted through the remains of his sister’s belongings. He had hoped she would move to Lincoln to live with him, as she faced challenges maintaining her home due to her disability.
“She was having a hard time because she was pretty much disabled. But she had a lot of neighbors that would help her out,” Wells said.
One of those neighbors, Michelle Grossman, recalled her efforts to support Dugan and described the terrifying scene during the fire. “When I came out, I opened the front porch and attempted to go in the house, but didn’t even get in the front door because the smoke was that bad,” Grossman said. “But you can’t just stand and watch. You feel like you have to do something.”
House fires can have devastating consequences, as seen in this tragedy. The Omaha Fire Department offers free installation of combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to help prevent similar incidents. Residents can request this service via the department’s website.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a fire-related incident, Local Accident Reports provides resources to support recovery and connect victims with assistance during difficult times.