Multiple central Nebraska agencies fight grain elevator fire during blizzard

CAIRO, Neb. -- A volunteer fire department in central Nebraska is thanking other departments for their assistance in fighting a fire during a blizzard.

Several agencies from central Nebraska came to the aid of the Cairo Volunteer Fire Department on Monday afternoon in a rural area about four miles southeast of town.

The fire happened after several inches of snow had already accumulated and as more snow was falling. Driving conditions for assisting agencies were poor as wind gusts around 40 mph made visibility a challenge.

According to a social media post, the response was made easier by having an irrigation well half of a mile away that had been fitted with numerous valves to allow tankers to fill up quickly.

The post says the elevator was a total loss. It did not specify if there were any injuries and area agencies have not responded to requests for more details.

In the post, the Cairo Volunteer Fire Department thanked the Wood River Fire & Rescue Department, the Alda Volunteer Fire Department and the Grand Island Rural Fire Department for their quick response.