McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department

At approximately 12:10 PM on Thursday, June 28, 2007, the City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 330 North Cherokee.  Upon arrival of the fire department, personnel reported considerable smoke coming from the residence.  

Firefighters entered the structure and attempted to extinguish a fire located in the basement, however, the heat and intensity of the fire forced firefighting crews to exit the structure for safety reasons.

The fire department requested 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 third page and responded to provide assistance. It took approximately two hours to bring the fire under control.  Firefighters were on the scene for approximately six hours extinguishing hot spots and investigating the fire. One Deputy State Fire Marshal and one Investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to help with the investigation of the cause of the fire.  The fire caused severe structural damage that affected the stability of the structure.  This made it unsafe for investigators to enter the basement area to complete the investigation.  Therefore, the cause of the fire remains undetermined and the investigation is ongoing.

The structure and contents were determined to be a total loss.  Initial damage estimates are approximately $180,000 to the structure and $135,000 to the contents. 

The residence is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lester Betts. The residents were not home at the time of the fire. 

Fifteen McCook Fire Department firefighters, two State Fire Marshals, and several members from the Red Willow Rural Western Fire Department, Indianola, and Bartley Fire Departments responded to the fire.  McCook Fire Department had two pumpers, one ladder truck, one ambulance, and one rescue unit respond to the fire.