McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department

Structure Fire in Lazy "L" Court

The McCook City and Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire Monday, February 2, 2004, at Lazy “L” Trailer Court, Lot #9.  A neighbor reportedly smelled smoke and, upon investigation, noticed smoke coming from the front of the trailer and fire in the rear of the trailer. 

The initial 911 call was reported at 3:02 P.M.  The first firefighters were on the scene at 3:05 P.M. and had the fire under control within 10 minutes, however, firefighters remained on the scene for approximately two hours extinguishing hot spots and performing salvage and overhaul operations.

The resident of the trailer, Cherri Jumps, was not home at the time of the fire. The owner of the trailer is Shane Wilson from Littleton, Colorado.

“Even though the fire was brought under control quickly, the fire had been burning for some time before it was noticed by neighbors.  The fire had already ventilated through the exterior wall and roof in the rear of the trailer before it was noticed”, stated McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham.  “The heat and smoke damage was severe throughout the structure”.

The fire department investigation indicated that a heat gun used to thaw out pipes on a hot water heater was the cause of the fire.

Initial damage estimates were approximately $8,000 to the structure and $15,000 to the contents.

Cherri and her two sons ages 13 and 15, who lived in the home have no insurance to cover the damages from the fire.  Most of their belongings were destroyed by smoke and fire.  Donations are welcomed by contacting Barb Bortner, at McCook Community Hospital at 345-8550 or Cherri Jumps at 350-0153.