A semi-truck hauling chemicals caught on fire outside of Lincoln’s Northwest High School in the parking lot around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, prompting a response from Lincoln Fire and Rescue and hazmat units.
A message sent out to all Northwest families by Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) assured parents that all students still at school at the time of the incident are safe.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have had to use the Standard Response Protocol of Secure,” said the message. “Secure” meaning all persons are kept inside.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the hazmat team are on the scene and LPS is following their instructions.
LPS says they are doing a controlled release, where students will be able to leave out of the west door and walk to UBT Stadium parking. If students are parked in the UBT Stadium lot, they will be allowed to leave. Parents can pick up their students in this same lot. Students will be kept inside until LPS knows they have a safe ride home.
In addition, all basketball games at Northwest for tonight are cancelled.
Emergency response crews are asking the public to avoid the area of NW 48th Street south of West Holdrege and West Holdrege to NW 56th.