Fire Department

Smoke from burned food filled a downtown apartment as one occupant slept inside, but firefighters were able to intervene before fire broke out.

Engine Company 4, along with a full structure fire response, arrived at the building on the 100 block of Orchard Street to find nothing showing from the outside. Firefighters made contact with the 911 caller, who came home to find her door locked from the inside with a security device. There was smoke coming out from under the doorway. She told firefighters that her boyfriend was inside but not answering the door.

There were no smoke alarms sounding as firefighters knocked and kicked the door loudly in an attempt to wake the boyfriend, should he be asleep inside. When there was no answer, the crew once again attempted to open the door using a key and confirmed they could not get in without forcing entry.

Upon entering the unit, the crew found a haze of smoke and proceeded to the kitchen. That’s where they met the occupant, who appeared to have just woken up. Although initially a little upset, he soon realized he left something in the oven, and that was why there were firefighters in his apartment. Engine Company 4 turned off the oven and opened the windows to clear the air.

Asked why there were no working smoke alarms in the unit, the tenants reported the batteries were dead. Firefighters learned that the smoke alarms were not compliant with City of Madison requirements, which call for 10-year lithium ion batteries and tamper-proof detectors. The tenants were advised to call their property managers to have the detectors replaced and brought up to code. The tenants were very understanding of the need and importance of having working smoke detectors in their apartment.

Learn more about choosing a smoke alarm and where to install them in your home.