Photo by Ellen Mortensen
    Ray Hunt, above center in bib overalls, watches helplessly as his shop burns Tuesday evening. R.L. Ag is located on Nebraska Highway 2 in Merna, and was a total loss.    

    MERNA - - A fire broke out in the R.L. Ag building in Merna late Tuesday afternoon when sparks from a hand grinder ignited cleaning solution or oil on the floor, according to Merna Fire Chief David Beals. But by the time fire fighters arrived little could be done to save the burning structure.
    The call came in to the Merna Fire Department at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, and Broken Bow was called in for mutual aid shortly thereafter. Oil and chemicals in the shop created a heavy cloud of black smoke which could be seen for miles, and created possible hazards for those working to extinguish the blaze.
    Crowds gathered to watch but were kept at bay by members of the Merna Volunteer Fire Department, while law enforcement blocked off Highway 2 and diverted traffic around the burning building.
    Broken Bow’s firemen remained on the scene about two hours, while the Merna Fire Department remained about five hours on scene.
    Minor damage was also sustained to the residence located behind the shop, as Beals says the heat from the fire was enough to bubble the siding on the house.
    Damage estimates are still very preliminary but Beals estimates a loss of at least $250,000 for the shop and equipment.