Sidney Fire Department battles house fire Tuesday

**WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Fire officials were recalled to the same fire Wednesday night.**

--ORIGINAL STORY--

SIDNEY, NE - The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department stays busy.

Crews with the department are spending the late morning and early afternoon hours battling a house fire near 9th Avenue and Maple Street in Sidney. Authorities blocked off Maple Street from 7th to 9th Avenues as a result.

First reports of the blaze came in just before 10:00 a.m. Crews were on scene for about eight hours. 

Firefighters at one point had to use a chainsaw to cut a hole in the roof for ventilation and to spray water into the house.

Our reporter at the scene could also hear firefighters smashing windows around the back of the house while battling the flames. The house also suffered extensive smoke damage. 

Sidney Assistant Fire Chief Dana Reece says everyone made it out of the house okay.

Early Tuesday afternoon, a State Fire Marshal official was on scene to begin investigating the cause of the fire. It's considered a total loss.

This is a developing story. We will continue to post updates as we learn more.