Apr. 10, 2022 - FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO WIND-DRIVEN DUPLEX FIRE
No One Injured; Cause Undetermined
On Sunday, April 10, at 4:38pm, the Grand Chute Fire Department (GCFD) was dispatched to 2900 block of West Big Bend Drive for a report of fire in a garage attached to a house. The Appleton and Fox Crossing Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene at the same time in accordance with automatic aid agreements.
When crews arrived they found a fully involved garage attached to a duplex and fire spreading from the garage into the attic. High winds at the time of the fire also caused the fire to spread to the garage and attic home next door to the initial duplex on fire. These winds made containing the spread and extinguishing the fire difficult. The second half of the duplex sustained moderate smoke damage and exterior siding damage. Occupants of the homes behind the duplex left their homes on their own temporarily due to the smoke being blown by the high winds. The fire department remained on scene for several hours extinguishing hot spots and salvaging belongings from the home.
One occupant at the duplex with the initial fire was home at the time, discovered the fire and called 911. One person was inside the exposed home to the west and was evacuated by the fire department. No occupants or firefighters were injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Grand Chute Fire Department but is not considered to be suspicious. Damage estimates are preliminary, but are likely near $200,000.
Two families from the initial duplex involved - seven people, including 3 children, and one pet - are displaced. The occupants of the second involved home next door are staying in the unaffected portion of the duplex with family.
The Grand Chute Fire Department wants to remind everyone that fires move fast in today’s homes. It is very important to have working smoke alarms and an escape plan that is practiced.
Additional agencies that provided support during the incident include: Grand Chute Police Department, Greenville Fire Department, Town of Neenah Fire Department, Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue, Gold Cross Ambulance, Outagamie County Community Emergency Response Team WE Energies, Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team, and Red Cross.
CONTACT: Battalion Chief Robert Schipper (920) 832-6050 |
