Video: Firefighters burn down former NFL star's mansion

The firefighters were using the deserted mansion as training

GRETNA, Neb. — A 14,000-square-foot palace built by a former NFL player has been burned to the ground as part of a firefighter training exercise.

The luxurious estate in Gretna, Nebraska, was home to ex-Buffalo Bills safety Rod Kush and was once worth $2.6 million.

But the 'finest mansion in all of Sarpy County' was set alight yesterday morning by the Gretna Volunteer Fire Department, after being overrun with mold.

Full story: $2.6m up in flames: The moment firefighters burn down former NFL star's deserted mansion just for practice

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Glenn Ranger Monday, December 03, 2012 6:31:14 PM What a shame. See why I tell my kids to take care of their toys.

Alison Dunn Mon Dec 3 21:47:06 PST 2012 Wow what a huge house

Jim Riseborough Tuesday, December 04, 2012 4:15:42 AM Training exercise? I see no indication of any training, other than few hose lines. No holes in the roof where they did ventilation training, no small burns from any live fire training, etc. Just did someone a favor if you ask me.

John R Eeten Tuesday, December 04, 2012 5:47:33 AM There did appear to have been some burn training done earlier. At 18 seconds, one can see carbon marks above a couple of windows of one of the several rear walls. At second 28, one can see carbon marks above a couple of the far windows well before any other smoke arises.

Keith Wesolek Wednesday, December 05, 2012 4:45:20 AM Looks Like Waco All Over Again!

Evan Bachman Saturday, December 08, 2012 6:30:45 PM What training????

David Bachman Sun Dec 9 09:39:41 PST 2012 That is the way volunteers generally fight fire. Protect exposures and watch it burn down. So it was trng for them. They want to go home safely.

Marc Alan Stankiewicz Saturday, December 08, 2012 6:53:08 PM Is that how their Vols train, light it then just watch it burn!

Rik Buss Sun Dec 9 01:01:47 PST 2012 before we lit it Dont be so ignorant just becausr yoy areps

Rik Buss Sun Dec 9 01:02:48 PST 2012 that was We trained for 6 hours prior

Rik Buss Sun Dec 9 01:03:40 PST 2012 Our Voli are better trained than u paid guys

Marc Alan Stankiewicz Sun Dec 9 06:05:22 PST 2012 No vols are not trained better than professional firefighters, sorry!

Ken Claus Sunday, December 09, 2012 2:43:02 AM Love egos in action. "I wasn't there or even in the same state but I don't see where they did any training. If I can't see it, then it couldn't have happend, because I am the fire training know all." Go rip on your own training and see what you can do to make it better.