Fire Department

Engine 3 and Medic 3 responded to the Goodman Center on Waubesa St. for a possible structure fire. Upon arrival, Engine 3 saw light gray smoke coming from the eaves at the top of a downspout on the Waubesa street side just past the parking lot entrance. Engine 3 took command and Medic 3 completed a 360 of the building, which they found to be clear. Engine 3 placed a ladder to the roof and found some heat tape to be smoking in the downspout area. Heat tape is an electrified cable that generates heat to keep pipes from freezing in winter and reduces ice buildup that can block gutters and downspouts.

Engine 3 crew doused the heat tape with the water can and pulled it out of the eaves area.  At this point, Engine 3 returned all other units except Ladder 1. Engine 3 checked for fire extension in the roof area, eaves, downspout and interior in the area and found none.  Ladder 1 assisted in finding and isolating the breaker for the heat tape. Engine 3 crew spoke with the Assistant Director at the Goodman Center, who stated that their maintenance person was on his way and he would make sure there was no power to the heat tape and that it would be properly serviced. Finding no other problems, Engine 3 returned.