Three fires in four days keep MFD busy

The City of McCook Fire Department has been kept busy responding to three separate structure fires in four days.

313 Park Avenue - Sunday, Nov 13

On Sunday evening, firefighters responded to a reported basement fire located at 313 Park Avenue. Firefighters were able to make entry into the structure and make their way to the basement where the fire was located and extinguished. Firefighters were hampered by the smoke that created near zero visibility on the main floor and in the basement. Once the fire was extinguished, crews began to ventilate the smoke from the basement, which proved to be a difficult task as well. A change in weather conditions hampered the ventilation operations and created a brief rekindle of the fire that was quickly extinguished.

The fire started in a room that served as a shop area in the basement. The homeowner was working in the room and went upstairs. After approximately 20 minutes he began to smell smoke and went downstairs to investigate. He found the basement to be full of heavy smoke and immediately evacuated before calling 911.

The fire damage was contained to the basement, however, there was considerable smoke damage throughout the structure. Initial estimates on damage were set at $150,000.

900 Block East B - Tuesday, Nov. 15

In the early morning hours of November 15th, a fire was reported in the 900 block of East B Street. A City of McCook Firefighter was responding to the station for a fire alarm at a separate building when he noticed heavy smoke and fire coming from a vacant two-story building. He reported the fire via his handheld radio and responded to the station to assist with the second call.

The fire was quickly extinguished but not before it caused extensive damage to the vacant structure. Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department was called for assistance and the fire was determined to have started from the ignition of gasoline fumes that had collected in an enclosed room where a generator was found and was being used to supply power to a nearby camper. One person received moderate burns and was later located and transported to the hospital for treatment.

804 East 5th - Wednesday, Nov 16

A third structure fire was reported on November 16th at approximately 1:24 p.m. by a McCook Police Department Detective who happened to be in the area of the 800 block of East 5th and noticed heavy smoke coming from a structure located at 804 East 5th . At the same time the dispatch center was receiving numerous 911 calls reporting a structure fire as well.

Fire department crews responded and located a victim outside of the structure and crews began treating the patient and another crew made entry into the structure and found a fire in the living room area.

The fire was quickly extinguished, however, there was still significant fire and heat damage to the living room area of the structure and smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure, which was a multi-family dwelling.

Mutual aid assistance was provided by Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department with manpower needs and crews remained on scene for approximately two hours making sure the fire was extinguished and performing the investigation.

It was determined that the cause of the fire was an improperly disposed of device that started the carpet on fire on the floor. The fire quickly spread across the floor and up a wall before the occupant noticed it. She was transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

Reminder

“As we get into the winter months, we would like to remind the residents of McCook to have all heating devices, including furnaces, fireplaces and woodburning stoves inspected for proper usage and ventilation. This is also the time to check your home smoke detectors and home CO detectors to make sure they’re performing properly to give you an early warning of any fires or CO leaks in the home,” stated fire chief Marc Harpham.