SIDNEY, Neb. – The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department responded to two separate grass fires on Saturday, including a five-acre blaze west of town and a smaller fire in a residential area later that evening.

The first fire was reported at 4:32 p.m. near 9939 Road 20, west of Sidney. Firefighters were aided by green crops in the area and were able to contain and extinguish the flames quickly. Officials say the fire, which burned approximately five acres, is believed to have been caused by lightning.

Later that night, at 10:38 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a second grass fire near the corner of 20th Avenue and Cedar Street on the north side of Sidney. The fire was limited in size - reportedly no larger than one of the department’s responding rigs - and was extinguished before it could reach nearby cedar trees. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No structures were damaged, and no injuries were reported in either incident.