Early Saturday morning, Bobbi and Rod Adams were fast asleep in their bed. Then, a familiar sound jolted them awake.
Tillie, the couple's Chihuahua-dachshund mix, had run into their room and was going ballistic. She has always been a barker, Bobbi Adams said, but this time something was different.
Amid Tillie's frantic barking, the pair heard a strange popping noise. Glass shattering.
"We looked out our bedroom window, and it was all orange," Bobbi Adams said. "Our backyard was in flames."
A fire that had started on the deck began to spread inside. The couple got out of the house and called 911.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews arrived at the home at Southwest 24th Street and West Laguna Road at 12:30 a.m., working on a fire that LFR Battalion Chief Jeremy Gegg called "extensive." Crews were on the scene for several hours.
As the blaze spread, Gegg said the home risked a structural collapse.Â
Fire Investigator Jason Relford later said the home was a total loss. The fire's cause was undetermined as of Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a camper parked in the driveway.
The Adamses spent the rest of the night in the camper. Bobbi Adams said Saturday afternoon they'd since relocated.
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"I think about some people that have a fire; they have nothing," she said. "We at least have a camper, and we have blankets."
Rod Adams said they've already been contacted by the Red Cross. The Adamses went shopping for a new wardrobe Saturday afternoon.
"Insurance will take care of the rest of it," he said. "We just have to be patient."
Saturday morning, the couple stood on the lawn, chatting with neighbors. With them were their dogs, Tillie and Sadie — Tillie as alert as ever.Â
Bobbi Adams said she's thankful: It could've been much worse. She hates to imagine what would've happened if Tillie hadn't come running into their room when she realized something was wrong.
She believes her dog knew exactly what she was doing. Tillie might've saved their lives.
"She's the hero," she said. "We're always getting after her for barking, but this time it was a good thing."
The couple has a long way before normal, but Bobbi Adams is optimistic.
"We feel very blessed," she said. "We're going to be OK. We're going to rebuild."
Top Journal Star Photos for August
LINCOLN, NEB. - 08/07/2022 - Arianna points to a rocket pop on a ice cream truck at Holmes Lake Park, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. NOAH RIFFE, Journal Star
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Lincoln Northwest High School students, including Noah Foreman (from right), Brohdy Ferguson and Delaney Ahl check out the cafeteria area Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.
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Nebraska volleyball head coach John Cook observes the team's first practice of the season Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at the Devaney Sports Center.
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Drew Carlson celebrates after winning a competition during the Cornhusker Marching Band Exhibition at Memorial Stadium, Friday, Aug. 19, 2022.
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The Urban Development Department is applying for grants to demolish Pershing as well as the old Lincoln Police Department building at 233 S. 10th St.
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A kayaker paddles on Holmes Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022.
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CeCe Mlady (left), 4, and her sister Grace Mlady, 10, cheer as they try to get the attention of Husker players throwing gifts to the stand before a soccer game between Nebraska and San Diego State on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at Hibner Stadium.
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Lincoln Northeast's Micah Quirie kicks a field goal as teammate Trevor Vocasek holds the ball during practice Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.
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Lincoln Lutheran players gather around the hydration station during practice Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, at Lincoln Lutheran High School.
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The Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, {monthameap} 24, 2022, in Lincoln, NE. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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LINCOLN, NEB. - 08/26/2022 - Marcee Metzger of Voices of Hope poses for a portrait at the group's office, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. NOAH RIFFE, Journal Star
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Nebraska's Hayden Kubik (top, first right) celebrates with her team after scoring the match-ending point of a 3-0 win against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi on Friday at the Devaney Sports Center.
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Kearney's Sawyer Schilke carries the ball as he narrowly avoids a tackle by Lincoln East's Connor Shelton on Thursday at Seacrest Field.
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The family of Hulda Roper, including step-grandson Craig Roper (from left) and stepson Charlie Roper, talk with Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins and Cedars president and CEO Jim Blue as the youth service organization names its conference room after Hulda Roper, the city's first female police officer.
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Sen. Ben Sasse (from left), Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Adrian Smith and Rep. Mike Flood attend the annual federal legislative summit on Thursday at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
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Wahoo coach Trina Christen hugs Jaiden Swanson the Warriors defeated Beatrice in eight innings Tuesday in Beatrice.
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Lincoln Southeast's Gunnar Gottula flips his hair back after taking off his helmet in the fourth quarter against Elkhorn South on Aug. 26 at Seacrest Field.
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Lincoln Lutheran's Elecea Saathoff (3) tips the ball past Waverly defenders Thursday at Lincoln Lutheran High School.
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Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or jthompson@journalstar.com
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