Photo by Michelle Zlomke

    The presses continue to roll at a Central Nebraska weekly newspaper after a fire interrupted production and caused heavy smoke damage throughout the building Wednesday.
    The Custer County Chief staff was in the middle of producing Thursday's edition when a fire began in a processing area. The cause of the fire was determined to be an accidental electrical that started in the film processor, according to the State Fire Marshall's Office.
    "The quick response and highly skilled professionalism of Broken Bow and Merna Fire Departments saved our building, and we can't thank them enough," said Chief Publisher Deb McCaslin.
    The newspaper staff relocated to other Broken Bow businesses to continue production of the paper, which was delayed by one day because of the incident.
    "Our good friends up north at the Burwell Tribune are going to help us with production and the paper will be out Friday, just one day late," McCaslin said.
    "The wonderful, good-natured attitude of the folks in Central Nebraska never ceases to amaze me. With firemen still on the scene, neighboring businesses were stepping foward offering their euipment and services so we could keep the newspaper going," said McCaslin.
    All employees safely evacuated the building within moments of hearing the smoke alarm nearest the processing room. The alarm went off and pressman David White notified staff that there was a fire at about 12:40 p.m. White was working in the area where the fire started.
    Andy Holland, Broken Bow Fire Department Facilitator, said the first call to the emergency center came at 12:47 p.m. and was made by Managing Editor Ellen Mortensen. He said trucks were on the scene by 12:52 p.m.
    Holland said two trucks from Broken Bow, a Broken Bow ambulance, two trucks from Merna and the Custer County mutual aid truck were on the scene. Broken Bow responded with 20 firefighters and EMT's.
    All equipment and personnel were removed from the scene by 3:10 p.m., Holland said.