Wood stove blamed in fire

McCook, Red Willow Western and Indianola firefighters attack the blaze that consumed the Justin and Danielle Zlomke home at 108 E. Fifth in McCook, Nebraska, Friday evening. The fire was discovered about 8 p.m., and under control by 10:40 p.m.

McCOOK, NEBRASKA -- The investigation of a fire that destroyed a McCook, Nebraska, home Friday evening indicates that the fire started in the chimney of a wood-burning stove.

McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said this morning that the home and belongings of Justin and Danielle Zlomke, at 108 E. Fifth, are a total loss. The house is owned by John Zlomke. Harpham estimated losses at more than $40,000.

Harpham said the residents got out of the house without injury, taking their pets with them.

Harpham said residents noticed smoke in the home about 7:55 p.m., and called 9-1-1. McCook firefighters noticed smoke coming from the south side of the house as they approached.

Firefighters entered the house and extinguished a visible fire on the main floor, but the fire had spread to the upper floor of the 1 1/2-story house and throughout the walls, ceilings and attic. Harpham said when firefighters got to the second floor, they were forced back down the stairs because of extreme heat and zero visibility and had to exit the house and fight the fire from the outside.

Harpham said the fire was probably burning undetected for a long time before it was noticed by the resident, allowing it to spread across the ceiling space and into the walls and other concealed spaces and making it extremely hard to locate and extinguish.

A State of Nebraska fire marshal assisted with the investigation that indicated the fire started in the chimney of a wood-burning stove.

Representatives of the American Red Cross arrived to provide assistance with the family's immediate needs.

Harpham requested mutual aid from Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department and the Indianola Fire Department, who provided both manpower and equipment along with assisting with an ambulance call received during the fire call. Red Willow Western brought its new ladder truck.

The McCook fire department had 14 firefighters, one engine truck, one aerial ladder truck, one ambulance and one rescue unit on the scene. They spent about four hours at the scene extinguishing hot spots and investigating the cause of the fire.