Nebraska Man Attacks Firefighter During Blaze

Lincoln Police officials originally responding to a shoplifting complaint arrested a 41-year-old man suspected of assaulting a fire captain in a blaze that injured seven officials Thursday.

According to Lincoln Police Officer Katherine Finnell, authorities held David A. Krzycki on an a warrant and then arrested him on suspected first-degree assault and interfering with firefighter charges after hearing him talk about a fire at his house on a nearby pay phone.

Authorities believe Krzycki, 3021 T St., fled to Super Saver, 233 N. 48th St., to use the phone after attacking a fire captain who was trying to help extinguish the blaze that caused $60,000 in damage to the destroyed home structure and resulted in a $30,000 loss of material inside.

Officials with the fire department said Krzycki was removed from the house two times before he attacked the captain. The cause of the fire, which didn't appear to be suspicious at first, is still under investigation, officials said.

Finnell said the fire started in the basement and spread quickly to the first floor.

In the end, the captain was treated for injuries suffered during the assault and fire, another firefighter was treated for a shoulder injury and five firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries.

Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady said he was used to encountering citizens who were not very happy to see police officers.

But it's usually not that way with firefighters, he said.

"I think normally when you have a fire, people are pretty glad to see the firefighters," Casady said.