Fire Department

This fire appears to be unintentional, but a specific cause continues to be investigated. There was fire damage to the attic plywood sheathing, rafters of the roof, and the ceiling of a second-floor room, and minor smoke damage throughout the home. Total damages are estimated at $25,000. Residents did report there were electrical problems prior to the fire. --PIO Cynthia Schuster

The cause of an attic fire that took place on the near west side is under investigation.

Engine Company 4, along with a full structure fire response from the Madison Fire Department, arrived at a home on Huron Hill Thursday night. Smoke was showing from the roof/attic space of the two-story single-family home, and the homeowner was outside awaiting firefighters. The occupant gave Engine 4 specific directions on how to access the attic from inside, and firefighters proceeded into the home.

With light wispy smoke coming from the hatch cover leading to the attic, firefighters made entry with fire hose in hand. The cover was opened slowly to reveal an orange glow visible through the smoke. One firefighter climbed into the attic to determine how much fire was present and where exactly it was seated.

A fire extinguisher was found on the floor of the attic, and the firefighter used it to extinguish the majority of the fire. A second firefighter put out the rest of the fire with water. Crews ventilated the attic and pulled drywall to verify that more fire wasn’t festering inside the walls.

The occupants were not displaced by the fire. The cause is still under investigation, and damage estimates are not yet available.