Fillmore County man dies in combine fire

Possible mechanical issue with machine
The fire happened Wednesday near County Road B and County Road 11 near Fairmont.
Published: Oct. 11, 2024 at 12:38 PM CDT|Updated: Oct. 11, 2024 at 12:39 PM CDT

FILLMORE COUNTY, Neb. (KSNB) - The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office said a rural Fairmont man has died following a combine and field fire on Wednesday.

It happened around 11:05 a.m. when the 911 center received a call regarding a large fire in the area of County Road B and County Road 11.

Fairmont Fire Department, with mutual aid from the McCool Junction Fire Department, were dispatched to the area.

Upon arrival, crews from Fairmont Fire Department discovered a corn field and combine on fire in the area of 2400 County Road 11. While crews worked to put out the fire, the operator of the combine was discovered inside deceased.

The sheriff’s office identified the operator as 92-year-old Harold “Boyd” Cool Sr.

The preliminary investigation determined the fire was possibly a result of a mechanical issue with the combine.

The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office and Fairmont Fire Department were assisted in the investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Click here to subscribe to our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.