Menu
Residential structure fire in McCook
The City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire early Wednesday morning, Dec. 18, in McCook. Numerous 911 calls advised the fire was located at 1301 Country Club Drive. Heavy flames could be seen from several blocks away and first-arriving fire department crews reported heavy fire coming from an attached garage that had spread into the residence at that location.
Fire crews quickly knocked down the fire located in the garage area but not before the fire had spread throughout the top two levels of the home. The homeowner was able to escape, along with one dog. Two other dogs were later located deceased in the structure.
One victim was transported from the scene to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Fire crews remained on the scene for over four hours, extinguishing hot spots and investigating the fire.
The Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department provided Mutual Aid. A State Fire Marshal Investigator was requested due to the significance of the fire damage to the structure and contents. The investigation determined that the fire started in the garage area and quickly spread into the interior of the house. It appears the fire in the garage had been burning for some time before smoke detectors in the home alerted the resident.
The Red Cross was called and responded to provide assistance to the homeowners. Fire crews were challenged with manpower as two ambulance calls occurred during the fire, which stretched resources thin, requiring mutual aid assistance. Initial damage estimates were $180,000 to the structure and another $200,000 to the contents. One ladder truck, one pumper, three ambulances, and one command vehicle, along with 16 members from the City of McCook Fire Department and several members of the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department, responded to the call.