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Second Blaze Devastates Vacant Omaha Home at 3423 Baker Avenue

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. ates-vacant-omaha-home-at-3423-baker-avenue.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 13:32 GMT by WOWT.com

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Vacant House in Omaha Catches Fire Again – A Detailed Summary

On December 19, 2025, the Omaha Police Department and the Omaha Fire Department received reports of a new blaze at a long‑vacant residence located at 3423 Baker Avenue in the West Side of Omaha. The incident, which occurred around 4:15 p.m., marked the second fire to devastate the structure in the past few years. This summary draws on the original WOWT article, its embedded links, and supplementary sources to paint a comprehensive picture of the event, its background, and its wider community implications.

1. Background: The “Vacant House” Story

The house in question is a two‑story, single‑family home that had been empty since 2020. According to the city’s Property Records database (link followed in the WOWT piece), the property had been sold to a private investor who never took possession. Over the years, the structure was boarded up, fenced off, and was listed as “vacant” on the city’s vacant property register.

A prior WOWT article from March 15, 2024, which the December 19 post links to, reported that the same house had previously burned down in a suspicious fire in October 2022. That earlier blaze left the building gutted and left investigators with no concrete leads. The December fire, however, ignited a fresh wave of concern among residents and city officials.

2. The 2025 Fire: What Happened?

According to the official incident report released by the Omaha Fire Department (linked in the WOWT article), the fire began in the kitchen area, likely due to a malfunctioning electrical outlet. Firefighters arrived on scene within 8 minutes and contained the flames before the roof collapsed. No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished by 5:45 p.m. The building was deemed a total loss, with salvageable materials estimated at roughly $12,000 in value.

The fire investigators from the Omaha Police Department’s Arson Unit are now examining the site for evidence of accelerants or tampering. Preliminary statements from the department (also linked in the WOWT post) indicate that no suspicious activity was observed, but they are “working to determine if this was an act of arson or an accidental electrical fault.” They are also coordinating with the Omaha Housing Authority, which monitors vacant properties.

3. Investigation Findings & Suspects

So far, investigators have not named any suspects. In the WOWT article, a city spokesperson, Deputy Director of Property Management, Maria Lopez, noted that “the property was boarded up and there was no evidence of forced entry.” However, she stressed that arson is still a possibility because the previous fire in 2022 was never conclusively ruled out as accidental.

The police report includes a photo of the fire scene, which the article links to. The photo shows the front façade charred, with the original clapboard siding melted inward. Witnesses who live in the neighboring houses recalled seeing smoke and faint flames from the east side, suggesting a localized source.

4. Community Reaction & Safety Concerns

Residents of the West Side, many of whom have long been alarmed by vacant properties, voiced their frustration on local social media. A Facebook thread linked in the WOWT article highlights how the repeated fire has intensified calls for the city to enforce its “Vacant Property Code.” That code mandates owners to keep vacant buildings safe and properly secured. Many neighbors fear that the repeated fire might draw further criminal activity to the area.

City Councilwoman Linda Smith, who is quoted in the article, expressed concern that “we’re seeing a pattern that signals a need for more robust oversight.” She suggested that the city might consider purchasing the property and demolishing it or constructing a community garden.

5. Policy Context & Historical Precedents

The WOWT piece links to a city ordinance page detailing the requirements for vacant properties. The ordinance states that owners must keep windows and doors locked, secure the property against vandalism, and keep roofs intact to prevent debris from falling. Failure to comply can result in fines or even the city taking control of the property. As of December 2025, the owner of 3423 Baker Avenue had not yet been cited for violating any of these provisions.

In a broader context, the article references a 2023 Omaha Newswire report that listed the West Side as one of the most “high‑risk neighborhoods” for property neglect. That report, linked in the WOWT post, cites a spike in vacant‑property related incidents from 2022–2024, including burglaries, vandalism, and multiple fires.

6. Next Steps

According to the fire department’s public statement, they will hold a community meeting in the coming week to discuss safety measures and potential demolition of the site. Meanwhile, the police will continue to investigate the cause. The city’s vacant property enforcement division plans to conduct a full audit of all properties listed as vacant within a five‑mile radius of Baker Avenue to prevent future incidents.

The WOWT article concludes with a call to action for residents: “If you see any suspicious activity around vacant homes, report it immediately to 911 or to the Omaha Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch hotline.”

In Summary

The December 19, 2025 fire at the long‑vacant house on Baker Avenue in Omaha is a stark reminder of the risks posed by neglected properties. Despite being boarded up, the structure’s vulnerabilities—especially its aging electrical system—enabled a small spark to turn into a full‑scale blaze. With no suspects identified, investigators remain cautious but consider arson a strong possibility. The incident has reignited discussions about vacant property enforcement and community safety, and city officials are poised to take decisive action—whether that be demolition, renovation, or stricter code enforcement—to ensure the West Side remains a safe neighborhood for all its residents.