Fire Department

This fire originated in the attic space of the apartment building. The specific cause is undetermined, but the fire may have resulted from a mechanical or electrical failure in the place of origin. Estimated dollar loss currently rests at $50,000. --PIO Cynthia Schuster

The Madison Fire Department responded to a structure fire in an apartment building just after 1:00 AM. Residents of the building located in the 2200 block of Carling Drive called 911 and reported that the ceiling of an upstairs apartment was on fire.
Upon arrival, teams form Fire Station 7 entered the building to investigate the source of the fire, and to ensure that all of the residents had been able to evacuate. A fire was located in the wall between two apartments on the second floor. Further investigation found that the fire had spread to a portion of the attic. A fire attack was initiated, and the flames were quickly extinguished, preventing other portions of the attic from igniting. The building was ventilated to remove the heavy smoke, and the walls and ceilings in the area of the fire were checked to make sure that the fire was completely out. In addition to a large amount of damage in two of the upstairs apartments from the fire, four additional apartments suffered lighter damage.
The electrical system in the building was also affected by the fire, and due to the danger of a fire possible being re-ignited by damaged wiring, all of the residents in the 30 unit building were displaced. The Red Cross is assisting many of them to find accommodations.
All of the residents were able to exit the building safely, and no fire fighters were injured while putting out the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and there are no damage estimates at this time.