McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department

903 West 2nd Street

 At approximately 11:57 PM on Saturday, April 7, 2006 the City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 903 West 2^nd Street.  Upon arrival of the fire department, personnel reported considerable smoke and flames coming from the residence.  The fire appeared to have been burning for some time.  One of the first people to report the fire was an off-duty firefighter who noticed the smoke and fire from his residence a block away from the fire.

The structure was fully involved in fire.  This posed additional problems for the fire department.  Firefighters were faced with the task of extinguishing the main fire and protecting the neighboring structures from the radiating heat from the fire.  The heat from the fire did cause damage to a house south of the structure.

The fire department did request additional manpower and equipment from the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department.  It took approximately two and one half hours to bring the fire under control.  The fire started in the basement and burned up the walls and into the stairway and attic of the two-story structure before the fire department was notified.

The fire department investigation revealed that the fire started by resistance heating of an extension cord and stored materials in the basement of the structure.  The structure and contents were determined to be a total loss. Initial damage estimates are approximately $90,000 to the structure and $60,000 to the contents.  In addition, damage to the neighboring structure was estimated at approximately $10,000.

The residence is owned by Bonnie Zlomke. The structure was occupied at the time of the fire.  The resident was able to escape with minor injuries.

Fourteen firefighters, one State Fire Marshal, and members from the Red Willow Rural Western Fire Department, two pumper, one ladder truck, two ambulances, and one rescue unit responded to the fire.