Over $30,000 in damages and serious injury in Tuesday fire

Courtesy Photo

McCOOK, Neb. - The City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire Tuesday evening at #26 South Street. First arriving fire department crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the trailer house. After arriving on scene, firefighters located a male party outside of the residence who was seriously injured. Fire crews began extinguishment of the fire while providing medical aid to the victim until additional personnel arrived to take over medical care.

Firefighters were able to make entry into the structure and extinguish the fire within minutes. The fire was reported at 7:48 p.m. and the first arriving truck was on scene at 7:51 p.m. The fire was declared under control and extinguished at 8:00 p.m.

The fire appears to have started while the victim was attempting to ignite a wood burning stove, however, the exact cause is still under investigation. The fire quickly spread across the ceiling area and out the rear of the structure. Multiple propane cylinders located in the rear of the structure on an exterior deck ruptured due to high heat and hampered the extinguishment of the fire.

It was determined that the fire started in the location of the trash can and spread from there. The trash can and all material located in the trash can were totally consumed by the fire.

Initial damage estimates to the structure were set at approximately $6,000 with an additional $25,000 to the contents. Most of the structural damage was to the floor, wall, and ceiling coverings.

A total of eighteen personnel, one engine, one ladder truck, two ambulances, and one command vehicle responded to the fire and were on the scene for just over 4 1⁄2 hours. Assistance was also provided by Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department.

The main investigation was performed by investigators with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office and members of the McCook Fire Department.