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Omaha woman fined $100 for grill on balcony that sparked fire

fireOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman has been fined $100 in what a city attorney believes is the first time a person has been prosecuted for violated a city fire code forbidding grills on apartment balconies.

51-year-old Jan Wilson was sentenced Friday for a city fire code violation. She could had been sentenced to up six months in jail and fined up to $500.

Prosecutor Tom Mumgaard says it’s the first time he could recall the city enforcing its ban.

Officials say Wilson’s charcoal grill sparked a two-alarm blaze at the Maple Ridge Apartments on April 12 that caused the building’s roof to partially collapse and displaced 23 people. No injuries were reported.

Officials say the fire caused an estimated $225,000 in damage.

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