House, contents judged to be total loss

Investigators from the Nebraska Fire Marshal's office and the homeowners' insurance company are still sifting through charred debris to determine what caused the fire that destroyed the Lester and Marilyn Betts home at 330 N. Cherokee in McCook on Thursday afternoon.

McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said the house and contents are a total loss. He estimated damages at $315,000.

Smoke coming from the house was reported by passersby at 12:10 p.m. No one was home at the time of the fire.

The Betts are staying at a McCook motel until they can make other arrangements.

Harpham said the fire was difficult to fight because it had been burning for probably an hour before it was discovered. Intense heat and burning or damaged floors and ceilings kept firefighters from remaining inside to fight the fire.

Harpham called for mutual aid for additional manpower and equipment from the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department. Volunteers from Indianola and Bartley in the McCook area heard the fire call and responded to provide assistance, Harpham said.

It took about two hours to bring the fire under control. Firefighters were on the scene for approximately six hours extinguishing hot spots and investigating the cause of the fire.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Fred Reichart, enroute to inspect fireworks stands in McCook anyway, arrived on the scene early afternoon; he was joined later by State Fire Marshal Del Cerny.

Harpham said the fire caused severe structural damage that has affected the stability of the structure, making it unsafe for investigators to enter the basement to complete the investigation. "Therefore," he said, "the cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the investigation is ongoing."

Harpham said, "I would like to thank everyone who responded and assisted with this fire.

Rex Messersmith provided firefighters with bottled water, and the McCook Housing Authority provided food for all the firefighters."

Harpham continued, "I'm grateful, and reminded by these actions of how thoughtful people are in Southwest Nebraska.

Fifteen McCook Fire Department firefighters, two State Fire Marshals, and members of Red Willow Western, Indianola and Bartley fire departments responded to the fire. McCook's department provided two pumper trucks, one ladder truck, one ambulance and one rescue unit.