If you have an emergency call 911!

Wisconsin Fire News

Apartment fire in Racine displaces 3 residents and causes $60K in damage

The Racine Fire Department responded to a fire on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at around 1:35 p.m., which involved a two-story apartment building containing four units. The fire, primarily contained in the attic, resulted in the displacement of three residents. First responders from Engine 2 observed smoke coming from the building's roof.
- PUB DATE: 1/3/2024 1:13:07 PM - SOURCE: WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Residents, dog escape duplex fire in Beloit

PHOTO: Firefighters say the occupants and a family dog got out safely when a duplex caught fire in Beloit. The fire started around 2 p.m. Tuesday in a duplex in the 100 block of Bluff Street, according to a Facebook post by the Beloit Fire Department. Due to the amount of fire, the age of the home and the weather conditions, the fire department called in other agencies for help.
- PUB DATE: 1/3/2024 3:43:00 AM - SOURCE: WKOW-TV ABC 27 Madison

Oconomowoc house fire; 911 calls triggered Western Lakes response

VIDEO: Firefighters with Western Lakes Fire District battled a house fire on Morgan Road in Oconomowoc early Tuesday, Jan. 2. Emergency crews were dispatched to the residence around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. This, after 911 calls came in from passers-by reporting flames coming from the roof of a structure.
- PUB DATE: 1/2/2024 8:37:00 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

Kiel fire injures six people including one first responder

Authorities say a Monday night apartment fire in Kiel left six people hurt including one of the first responders on scene. According to a release from the Kiel Fire Department, firefighters responded at 7:57 p.m. to an apartment complex on 55 East Chicago Street for reports of fire alarms going off.
- PUB DATE: 1/2/2024 1:36:48 PM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

Chilly Tradition: Hundreds welcome the new year by taking part in the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge

VIDEO: Thirty-eight years ago, one Door County man started something that has become a tradition for many. I’m your Door County neighborhood reporter Katlyn Holt, with who will take over as the event leader in the future. J.R. Jarosh is the founder of the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge. He says the day is something he looks forward to every year.
- PUB DATE: 1/1/2024 6:43:00 PM - SOURCE: WGBA-TV NBC 26 Green Bay

Green Bay apartment fire caused by cooking accident

PHOTOS: One person is recovering and several other people were pushed from their apartment units after one of the units caught fire early Monday morning. Firefighters say they found one person who needed medical attention when they responded, and that person was immediately taken to the hospital. Crews were able to focus most of their attack on the apartment unit where the fire started to keep it from spreading.
- PUB DATE: 1/1/2024 9:42:00 AM - SOURCE: WGBA-TV NBC 26 Green Bay

Machine shed destroyed in fire near Sparta

PHOTO: The contents of a machine shed were destroyed in a fire Saturday afternoon near Sparta. Firefighters with the Sparta Area Fire District were called to the shed at 11162 County Road B north of Sparta around 4:30 p.m. according to Fire Chief Mike Arnold. A passerby had spotted the fire and called 9-1-1.
- PUB DATE: 12/31/2023 9:56:00 PM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 La Crosse

Milwaukee apartment fire, 2 people hurt

Milwaukee firefighters were dispatched early Thursday, Dec. 21 to an apartment fire near 104th and Fond du Lac on the city's northwest side. Battalion Chief Joel Rechlitz indicated firefighters were dispatched to the apartment building around 4 a.m. Thursday. Initial reports indicated there were two children trapped inside the structure.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2023 9:05:35 AM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

Crews respond to structure fire in Buffalo County

No injuries are reported following a structure fire in Buffalo County Wednesday. According to a press release from the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 20, 2023, around 11:33 a.m., authorities received reports of a farm shed that was smoking heavily and was on fire at S77 Highway 37, in the Town of Naples.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WEAU-TV NBC 13 Madison

VIDEO: Kenosha I-94 truck fire, WisDOT cameras capture response

A box truck caught fire on I-94 in Kenosha Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 19. It happened around 2:10 p.m. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department, the driver first noticed smoke in the cab and pulled over near the Highway 158 overpass. A sheriff’s deputy arrived to check on the driver. The sheriff's department said, when the deputy turned back to look at the truck, it was fully engulfed in flames.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2023 8:00:07 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

Fire a Fond du Lac residence causes heavy damage in kitchen area

A two-story residential home sustained damage after a fire on Tuesday evening in the City of Fond du Lac. According to Fond du Lac Fire & Rescue, shortly after 7:00 p.m., crews were sent to the 300 block of North Street for a report of a fire at a residence. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames showing from a first-floor window and smoke emitting from the rear of the building.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2023 5:33:07 AM - SOURCE: WFRV-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

Before heading out to the hiking trails around La Crosse, keep safety top of mind

VIDEO: As the area continues to see warmer than average temperatures, people may be looking to get outside and enjoy the bluffs and trails while they can but it's important to keep safety in mind. Regardless of the season, it's imperative that people are prepared before venturing onto the trails and into the bluffs.
- PUB DATE: 12/20/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXOW-TV ABC 19 La Crosse

Wausau swears in new fire chief

The transfer of power in the Wausau Fire Department is now official, as Jeremy Kopp has been sworn in as the department's new chief. He admitted it was an emotional moment, and the realization of a lot of dedication. "19 years ago when I started here, if you would have told me that I might be the chief of the Wausau Fire Department one day, I would have told you, 'Not a chance, never going to happen,'" Kopp said.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2023 6:39:00 AM - SOURCE: WAOW-TV ABC 9 Wausau

State Fire Marshal, DCI investigating Eagle River restaurant fire

VIDEO: A popular Eagle River restaurant is a total loss following an early morning fire. Crews responded to Off the Chain around 5:30 a.m. Monday. Investigator said a passerby noticed the fire and knocked on all the doors including a home next to the building. The passerby was able to get all the occupants from that residence out.
- PUB DATE: 12/19/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

Racine firefighters battled apartment building fire

VIDEO/PHOTO: Racine firefighters battled a fire at an apartment building on Washington Avenue just east of Taylor Avenue on Monday, Dec. 18. The building, which caters to seniors and others on restricted incomes, was evacuated safely. The American Red Cross set up a shelter for residents at Grace Church in Racine.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2023 3:50:59 PM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

Chief Bob Barteck retires from Wausau Fire Department

VIDEO: Wausau Fire Department Chief Bob Barteck bid farewell to his 33-year career in public service on Dec. 15, marking the end of an era. Serving as chief since June of 2021, Barteck had previously dedicated over 25 years to the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. The central Wisconsin community gathered to celebrate Chief Barteck’s distinguished career, with familiar faces in attendance, including Wausau Chief of Police Matthew Barnes and Mayor Katie Rosenberg.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSAW-TV CBS 7 Wausau

Town of Delafield house fire; nobody hurt

Lake Country Fire and Rescue responded early Friday, Dec. 15 to a house fire on Crooked Creek Road in the Town of Delafield. Officials said a 911 call by the homeowner stated there was fire in the home and that those inside were getting to safety. Because there are no fire hydrants in the area, fire officials upgraded the response – bringing Hartland, Pewaukee, Vernon and Lisbon firefighters to the scene.
- PUB DATE: 12/18/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WITI-TV FOX 6 Milwaukee

House fire displaces Fitchburg family, kills pets

A Fitchburg family was displaced and their pets killed after a box alarm fire that summoned over 15 agencies Friday night. Fitchburg Fire Rescue explained in a Facebook post that a house on the 1800 block of Schuster Rd, caught fire around 8:40 p.m. The house is on the border of Fitchburg, so Fitchburg and Oregon Fire responded.
- PUB DATE: 12/17/2023 6:51:00 AM - SOURCE: WMTV NBC/CW 15 Madison

Two Appleton families left without a home after duplex fire

VIDEO: Two Appleton families are left without a home after a duplex fire Thursday. Earlier while I was at the scene, I talked to one of the families. They didn't want to talk about what happened on camera, but here’s what they told me. They said if it wasn’t for a neighbor running over to tell them about the fire things could’ve been worse.
- PUB DATE: 12/15/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGBA-TV NBC 26 Green Bay

Janesville fire chief to retire after 30 years with department

Janesville Fire Chief James Ponkauskas will retire this spring after 30 years with the agency, the city of Janesville announced Thursday. Ponkauskas began his career in the fire service in 1988 as a firefighter and EMT for the Orfordville Fire Protection District. He then served there as fire chief of 13 years, half of his time with the department.
- PUB DATE: 12/14/2023 11:39:00 PM - SOURCE: WKOW-TV ABC 27 Madison

Pages

How can you help?

We are volunteer organizations and are funded primarily through generous donations from the community.  We also need help at our fundraising events.

We welcome new firefighters and EMT's.  We can provide you with training through the Wisconsin Technical College System.

To find out more about joining or other ways to help contact us or come to a meeting!