A spark got into a dust collection system Friday evening at Crewdson’s Creations and Log Cabin, starting a fire that burned about half of the company’s woodworking shop.

Derek Crewdson said he was working with the power router, making a large sign for a customer, when he realized the problem. He grabbed a fire extinguisher.

“I thought I had it taken care of,” he said, “but it came back on me.”

Crewdson’s Creations and Log Cabin is a premier custom woodworking shop and furniture maker that specializes in creating unique, high-quality wood products from tree trunks, tailored to individual needs of customers. It is located at 4012 Rodeo Road in North Platte.

Derek called his dad, Gordon, who was on the property and immediately came to help. Gordon used a fire extinguisher too, and like Derek, thought the fire was probably out, but it flared up again, and spreading through the sawdust collection system. By then, the North Platte fire department had been called. They arrived promptly. A city electric crew arrived about 10 minutes later to disconnect the power lines.

Assistant North Platte Fire Chief Trent Kleinow said all available firefighters, including volunteers, were called. Firefighters could see smoke and flames as they crossed the Buffalo Bill Ave. overpass on their way to the fire.

The fire spread to the adjoining room where the main sawmill is located. There, it apparently ignited a gas tank of the sawmill engine and spread to the ceiling.

Fire fighters contained it. In addition to crews from all three North Platte fire stations, Hershey volunteers responded with another water tender.

Gordon Crewdson said the firefighters brought plenty of water, which was needed because the city water main does not extend to their property. Fire crews tore out smoldering insulation and kept hot spots saturated, fighting the flames for three hours. Their efforts protected a lot of the workshop area, including offices and other equipment, which apparently only suffered minimal damage. Those areas can be cleaned up and put back into use before long. However, plastic and other materials, including the main computer cables, were ruined.

Kleinow said the rapid response and efforts displayed by the fire crews were nothing short of exceptional.

“Despite initial staffing challenges, our personnel worked seamlessly with mutual aid partners and the property owner to mitigate hazards and contain the blaze,” Kleinow said. “This effective scene management and focus on safety ensured that we could knock down the fire and protect the main structure while keeping every firefighter on the scene out of harm’s way.”

Gordon and Derek estimate the router and sawmill have a total value of nearly $100,000. They appear to be lost. And one side of the shop. if not more, will have to be completely rebuilt.

With a smile, Gordon said they will rebuild and keep going.

“That’s what we do,” he said.

The North Platte Fire Department left a tanker on the scene all night and returned regularly to guard against flare ups.

The property is just west of the North Platte city limits. Retail commerce in that area dates back to 1929. The workshop was originally used to store hay for the cattle lots on the other side of Rodeo Road.

The Log Cabin was once a well-known restaurant and convenience store, made entirely from logs. It was torn down at the end of its life in 2021, when it was converted and expanded into a garage and living quarters.

The ownership records date back to the days of Buffalo Bill Cody and earlier. Cody once owned the land.

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