Fire destroys downtown building

Teens brought in for questioning           

[JULY 12, 2005]  For the second time this season black smoke billowed from the downtown Lincoln area. The Lincoln Fire Department responded to a blaze at the former Lincoln Garment factory in the 200 block of North Chicago Street early Thursday evening. All off-duty Lincoln Rural Fire Department personnel and mutual aid from surrounding communities were called out early to assist.

The Lincoln Police Department set up a safety perimeter and directed traffic.

The departments were able to contain the blaze with minor control damage to the nearest building, where Quality Glass is located.

Heat from the inferno could be felt to the far side of the train tracks, and flames leaping two or three stories above the two-story abandoned structure could be seen as far away as Interstate 55 and Kruger Road.

Lincoln Police Chief Robert Rawlins said that five teens were brought in and questioned last night. They and their parents were cooperative, and the teens acknowledged they had something to do with the fire. The teens were released to their parents pending a decision by Logan County State's Attorney Tim Huyett.

[]