Officials: Gas fumes from generator started fire

A fire hose zig-zags across the street at the scene of a fire Monday evening. Two occupants of the house were able to escape without injury and the fire was extinguished quickly after firefighters arrived.

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Fumes from a gasoline-powered generator started a fire that caused more than $50,000 damage to a house and contents Monday evening, according to an investigation by the McCook Fire Department.

According to a release: at approximately 5:44 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, the City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 811 East 2nd Street.

Upon arrival of the fire department at 5:46 p.m., personnel reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the structure. Two occupants were able to escape the structure by exiting the front door. Crews quickly extinguished the fire that burned up the exterior of the back of the house and into a bedroom through a window.

The fire was under control within five minutes of the arrival of the fire department and before the fire could extend further into the interior of the home.

The resident of the structure, Jonathan Scott, reported that he was in the house, along with another resident, when all of the lights went out. Scott exited the structure and went around to the back yard where a generator was located that was supplying electricity to the house. Scott found the generator and several items around it, along with the siding of the house on fire. Scott went back into the home and advised the other resident of the fire. They both began looking for their pet cats and, when the smoke became too intense, they exited the structure.

Fire damage was contained to the exterior of the back of the home while there was smoke damage throughout the home. The home was valued at just over $27,000 and $15,000 for the contents. Initial damage estimates were at $10,000 on the structure and $1,000 to the contents.

Members of the fire department completed the investigation and determined that the fire started in the rear of the structure from gasoline fumes being emitted from a gas powered generator. The fumes ignited and quickly spread to nearby combustible materials and the exterior of the home itself.

The Red Cross was notified and provided the resident with assistance.

Sixteen firefighters, two pumpers, one ladder truck, one ambulance and one command vehicle were on the scene for approximately 1 ½ hours making sure the fire had not spread into the interior and clearing smoke out of the structure.