Farnam fire station burns down

FARNAM -- Farnam firefighters pulled out their new firetruck Monday evening, hooked it to a hydrant and fought the fire that was consuming the fire station.

Nebraska Fire Marshal Dell Cerny said this morning the fire destroyed the station, three trucks, bunker gear, pumps and assorted firefighting equipment. He estimated damages to be at least $200,000.

Cerny blamed the fire on electrical wiring on a foam-injection pump on the back of a grass rig pickup. Cerny said the truck had not been used lately to fight a fire, but that firefighters had started all the trucks recently as part of their normal routine.

Firefighters were able to save three trucks and two ambulances, although each sustained some smoke damage.

The big truck that firefighters saved is new, purchased a month ago with the help of a $109,000 CDBG grant presented in July 2003 by Gov. Mike Johanns.

The fire station itself is a total loss, Cerny said.

Eustis and Curtis firefighters helped extinguish the blaze.