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Two homes struck by lightning, no one injured
McCOOK, Neb. — An overnight rain was welcome, but not the accompanying wind and lightning that caused fires that caused extensive damage to one home and damaged another, keeping firefighters busy until the early morning hours.
Red Willow Western and McCook fire departments responded to a structure fire west of McCook at approximately 12:30 a.m., and shortly after arrival, RWW was called to another structure fire in northern McCook
Shortly after arriving to the second structure, a possible grass fire was reported west of McCook and more manpower and a pumper was requested from Indianola.
The second structure received minor damage from a lightning strike and firefighters were able to remove burnt materials and ventilate the smoke quickly and return to the first structure fire, when a fourth call came in for a tree on fire west of McCook. Both families got out of their homes safely.
RWW sent a grass rig along with Culbertson fire who had been called in to assist with the first structure with manpower and equipment. RWW returned to the station at approx 5:30 this morning.
A RWW Facebook post expressed thanks to the City of McCook, Culbertson and Indianola fire departments, for the assistance. Both structure fires were due to lightning strikes as was the tree on the fourth call; the grass fire turned out to be unfounded.
Officials urged residents to check their homes, area around their home, haystacks etc., for any damage from lightning. Fire can smolder in the attic, eaves and roof of homes after a lightning strike.
A Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department grass rig and crew returned Sunday from assisting with the Hackberry Fire in Banner County. More than 89 personnel and 18 different fire departments responded to that fire, which burned 6,000 acres. Two Nebraska Army National Guard helicopters as well as an air tanker from Nebraska and two from South Dakota were called to assist.