Crete Fire crews responded to a house fire at 1132 Oak Ave. Monday morning where one occupant was taken from the home and transported to Crete Area Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

The Saline County Attorney’s office has identified the victim as 50-year-old Randal P. Rabstajnek, who was renting the house.

Crete Fire Chief Mahlon Kohl said they were called to the house shortly before 9 a.m. where they saw visible flames and large amounts of thick, black smoke coming from the small structure.

“The initial report was that there could still be somebody in there.” Kohl said.

Firefighters Gordon Bridges, Justin Nickel and Kyle Poore were attempting to make entry through the front door, but having difficulty.

“There were a lot of flames and poor visibility,” Kohl said.

Firefighter, James Yost, who was also waiting to enter the house with an air-pack, spotted a partially broken window into the bedroom. Kohl said they redirected their attention  to getting to the room and any possible occupants through the window and past the fire at the front entrance.

Inside they found Rabstajnek and were able to lift him out the window and onto a waiting gurney. He was taken by ambulance to CAMC.

A release from the county attorney states that an autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

Crews were able to contain the blaze to the small house, although close neighbors were evacuated with the assistance of Crete Police for safety reasons early on, Kohl said.

Smoke was still pouring out from attic spaces and firefighters had to cut ventilation holes in the roof to allow smoke and gases to escape

He said other city crew members were on scene to assist in shutting of the utilities to the house.

Nebraska State Fire Marshal investigator, Adam Matzner was called in. He said he believes the cause to be from smoking materials and described the structure as a “total loss.” He gave a figure of about $40,000 for damages and he had been able to speak to the property owner Monday.

Another call went out, just after 2 p.m. Monday for help at the scene to remove debris from the structure once Matzner had investigated.

Kohl said they were concerned about the fire rekindling.