KEARNEY — The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department responded after a fallen tree branch struck the power line of a residence on W. 24th St. during the morning of Wednesday, June 24.

At 11:08 a.m., the KVFD was dispatched to the 800 block of W. 24th St. for the report of a tree branch that had fallen on a power line, which was causing it to spark.

On scene, a tree trimming company was working on the property. Around the back of the house, it appeared that a branch had fallen onto the power lines that connected directly to the home.

The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) was requested on scene to help work with the live power line.

Additional fire engines that had been dispatched to the scene were allowed to return to the fire hall.

The Kearney Police Department and Good Samaritan EMS also responded to the scene.

NPPD says that “downed power lines can be deadly. Always assume a line is live and avoid going near it or anything it is in contact with. Downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet aways.”