‘Just sat there praying’ Long Pine area house saved despite fire surrounding it

LONG PINE, Neb. — Flames surrounded Sherri and Tom Cody’s rural Long Pine home Tuesday night, but somehow, their house is still standing.

Sherri Cody said they received a call around 8 p.m. about a small fire just west of their property.

“It started out a long thin line on the edge of the pivot. The wind was blowing but not horrible,” she said.

But conditions changed quickly.

The Codys tried to fight the fire themselves for about 45 minutes. Then the wind intensified — and shifted.

“Then the wind changed directions blowing it towards our house to the east, so we hurried home. Tom started moving hay, and it didn’t take long to be in the trees all around the house and in the hay pile. I grabbed the dogs, and I finally made Tom leave,” Sherri said.

Tom was using a skid loader to move hay as flames crept closer. The couple ultimately lost about two-thirds of their hay supply, along with fencing, trees and a stock tank.

“We drove out of here and drove through fire across the road to the corner south of here and just sat there praying,” Sherri said.

Firefighters from multiple departments responded. The wildfire burned an estimated 800 acres, stretching roughly five miles. Authorities believe the fire was sparked by a power line.

Despite the destruction around them, the Codys’ home was spared.

“We are thankful that God provided us a house with a metal roof. That probably saved it, and God’s protection. The black fire line is truly a sign of God’s protection. It’s a perfectly straight line right next to our fence on two sides,” Sherri said.

Two other homes in the area were evacuated. The fire also threatened a nearby feedlot before winds shifted direction.

News Channel Nebraska previously spoke with the owner of RK Cattle about the close call.