Fire Department

Fire investigators have determined this fire resulted from a stovetop burner accidentally left on overnight. After cooking a few hours prior to the fire, the occupant turned the knob of the burner all the way down and believed it was completely off. However, the burner was still on "low." The pan left on top of that burner, which contained used oil, continued to produce heat. Eventually, additional oil that was stored next to the burner caught fire. The occupant eventually woke up to smoke and the sound of alarms. Damage estimates are currently at $125,000.

--Cynthia Schuster, Public Information Officer

At 6:07 am, Madison Fire Department crews were dispatched to structure fire at an apartment building in the 4700 block of Cottage Grove Rd. A resident from the apartment building called 911 and reported smoke inside of the building.

Upon arrival, crews found people evacuating the building, smoke alarms could be heard sounding inside the building. Madison Metro dispatched a bus in order for the residents to have a place to stay warm.

Crews entered the apartment building and located the apartment of fire origin on the second floor. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Nineteen people were displaced as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance to those displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no damage estimate is available at this time.