Fire Department

Investigators indicate this fire occurred in the same area where a heat lamp was in use to keep a small flock of baby chickens warm. The heat lamp was situated near combustible materials such as cardboard, and it was plugged into a power strip that was also sourcing several other plugged-in items. While the fire may have started as a result of one of these factors, a nearby water heater could not be ruled out as another potential source. Therefore, fire investigators are unable to determine the exact origin of this fire.  All six chicks died as a result of the fire.

--PIO Cynthia Schuster

The Madison Fire Department was called to the 300 block of E. Dean Avenue for reports of smoke coming from a single-family home. Nobody was home at the time.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 11:42 a.m. and forced entry, finding thick black smoke banked to the floor of the main level. Engine Co. 5 proceeded into the home in search of the fire. The flow of smoke indicated the fire may be in the basement, and the crew noted the floor was warm as they approached the basement stairs.

Ladder Co. 8 provided horizontal ventilation through the basement windows, clearing the way for Engine 5 to locate the seat of the fire and knock it down. Engine 5 continued to put out hot spots as they checked surrounding structures for any fire spread.

One cat was rescued during the incident. Firefighters provided oxygen and attempted to resuscitate the cat, but the cat did not survive. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Three people are displaced due to the extent of damage inside the home.