(AP) — Lightning was blamed for a fire that destroyed a warehouse in the southeast Nebraska community of Jansen.

Jansen Fire Chief Gary Hermsmeier said the lightning hit the building late Monday during a night of severe weather.

The building was burning when firefighters arrived. It was locked and crews had difficulty getting inside.

Firefighters eventually decided the building couldn’t be saved and they concentrated on protecting neighbors.

The building held scaffoldings and other construction equipment.

Firefighters from neighboring departments in Jefferson and Thayer counties helped fight the blaze.

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