Fire Department

Fire investigators believe this fire was unintentional in nature. The area of origin is believed to be the area of the dishwasher and a coffee maker; however, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.

--PIO Cynthia Schuster

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This report has been updated to reflect the correct dispatch address, 112 S. Hancock Street. The previous release stated "100 block of N. Hancock Street."

The Madison Fire Department's Fire Investigation Team (FIT) has determined the fire originated in the kitchen of the second floor apartment unit. Fire extended into the walls, up into the third floor apartment, and into the attic. There is extensive damage to the 2nd floor apartment kitchen, including to the walls, ceiling, countertops, appliances, and room contents, with smoke damage throughout the entire apartment. The third floor kitchen also suffered extensive fire-related damage, and the first floor apartment unit suffered water damage as a result of fire suppression activities. Current damage estimates are around $120,000.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

--Cynthia Schuster, Public Information Officer

Firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of S. Hancock Street Monday morning after multiple 911 callers reported fire at a downtown residential building. One caller, who lived in the building, heard a smoke detector sounding and went upstairs to check it out. Upon finding smoke and sensing heat, he called 911 and alerted his roommates. All occupants who were home at the time of the fire evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.

Command Car 31 and Engine Co. 1 arrived first on scene, reporting heavy smoke in the area. Heavy fire was also located in the back of the three-story building. Crews put forth an aggressive fire attack, achieving initial knockdown at 10:37 a.m. Fire had already spread to the attic, however, and firefighters continued to battle fire in concealed attic spaces for an extended period of time.

Due to the extent of damage, the entire three-unit building is uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those who were displaced. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation at this time.