Elevator fire

Becky Yost, (from left) Steve Renner and Jenny Young assist other members of the McCook Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Department during a fire at the Frenchman Valley Coop elevator at East Third and A streets this morning. About 30 firefighters from the McCook Fire Department the McCook Volunteer Fire Department and the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department responded to the fire earlier this morning. Raleigh Haas of the MVFD said the fire is believed to have started as a result of friction on a belt inside the elevator and extended into an underground tunnel. While the Red Willow County Sheriff's Department was on standby for possible evacuation of the area, the fire was brought under control by 9:30 a.m. and evacuation was unnecessary. City officials were also on alert for the possible shut down of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line which sets adjacent to the facility.