Update: One Dead, Several Injured in New Holstein Fire
UPDATE: New Holstein Police say the fire started in the kitchen of a lower-level apartment, near or on the stove. They say there is no evidence the fire was intentionally set.
NEW HOLSTEIN, Wis.--An early morning fire leaves one person dead and several others injured.
Calumet County authorities have identified the victim as 42 year old Nicole Masucci. Four people were hospitalized and later released.
New Holstein Police say a firefighter in the area of the 2000 block of Railroad Street was able to get a ladder and help four victims escape the building.
Fire officials say the blaze started in a kitchen area of the two-story building around 6:45 Friday morning. Authorities say the building was originally a bar and boarding house before it was converted to apartments.
Amanda Sander came home to smoke and flames shooting out of the windows of the apartment building across the street.
“It scares me half to death because I do live so close,” she said.
Crews say this blaze could have been much worse, if it hadn't been for one volunteer firefighter they’re calling a hero.
The volunteer firefighter, who lives in the area, took action when the call came in.
“He went above his duty and thank God he did,” said Dennis Mayer, New Holstein Fire Chief.
The firefighter, who doesn't want to be identified grabbed a ladder from his business and started pulling the four people out of a second floor window.
“When it happens to be in their neighborhood, they do what they need to do,” she Capt. Jeff Hebl of the New Holstein Police.
Unfortunately the flames and smoke were too intense to save 42 year-old Masucci. New Holstein needed help from six other departments to get the blaze under control.
“My 20 years, I’ve never seen anything like. It was stubborn,” said Capt. Hebl.
The roof caved in and getting water inside was difficult.
“We brought in a clam to lift the roof off and that's when we go it under control,” said Chief Mayer.
The State Fire Marshall and investigators with the A.T.F. are working together to determine a cause of the fire.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.