On Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 9:40 PM the City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported fire in Brooks Hall Dormitory on the McCook Community College campus.  The fire department was on the scene within three minutes of the initial report and located a fire in a dorm room on the third floor.  The fire was nearly extinguished by the automatic sprinkler system and firefighters completely extinguished the fire. 

All of the residents evacuated the dormitory prior to the arrival of the fire department.  Two of the residents, who attempted to extinguish the fire, were treated at the scene by EMS personnel for smoke inhalation; however, they were not transported to the hospital. 

There was heavy smoke, fire, and water damage to the dorm room where the fire originated and smoke and water damage throughout the third floor of the dormitory.  Officials are still in the process of determining damage estimates, which could very well exceed $100,000.  The fire department determined after their investigation that the fire started by an unauthorized candle that ignited combustibles.

The staff of the McCook Community College needs to be commended for their assistance and the organized and timely safe evacuation and accountability of the students. 

Approximately 15 students were temporarily housed at local motels so that firefighters could complete their operations and investigation. 

Eighteen firefighters, two pumpers, one ladder truck, one ambulance, and one command vehicle responded to the call.  Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately two and one-half hours performing salvage operations and completing the investigation.

Return to Press Releases