New information was released today about a fire that may have been responsible for the death of a man in Appleton Wednesday morning. It happened at the 500 block of North Division Street near downtown Appleton shortly after 6:00 am. Today Appleton Police are saying it appears the man died in relation to the fire, but nothing is for certain.
Today police identified that man as 24-year-old Milo G. Huempfner of Green Bay. He was living at the half-way house where the fire happened and passed away likely as a result of the fire.
Today Appleton's investigation into what started the fire and how Huempfner died is still underway. Appleton Police saying while they know more than they did on Wednesday, they haven't ruled anything out, just yet.
Neighbors reacted to the commotion on their Appleton street yesterday with shock at what happened.
"It's usually peaceful and quite," said Danno Morin of Appleton who lives just down the road from where the fire broke out.
"I have no idea what's going on. I woke up and I was like no. I was surprised anything happened," adds Brittany Alexander who isn’t use to seeing a presence of law enforcement like she encountered on Wednesday.
Today we're finding out from Appleton Police that Huempfner likely died in “relation” to the fire. But the investigation isn't closed yet and police are still conducting interviews and gathering information.
"We have at least four people that were living in the residence, overnight staff, other people who may have come and gone from there, so part of our task is to follow up with everyone," says Sgt. Dave Lund of the Appleton Police Department.
We're also learning more about the man brought to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. He is a 55-year-old Appleton man and an employee of the group home. He was located during the second sweep of the house by firefighters after he rushed inside to offer assistance.
"It was during that search that they found the 55-year-old who had come into the residence to look for people," adds Sgt. Lund.
And as far as the overwhelming presence of investigators on scene at the home just yesterday, Appleton Police say its standard protocol to bring in police, the fire department and the state fire marshal’s office for any potential crime scene like this.
The State Division of Criminal Investigation says their portion of the investigation is complete today. Meanwhile Appleton Police are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of Huempfner's death.
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UPDATED June 23, 2016: Appleton Police have identified the individual who died in the fire as 24-year-old Milo G. Huempfner of Green Bay, who was a resident of the halfway house. Investigators are awaiting autopsy and toxicology testing results to determine the cause of death.
Appleton Police and Fire Departments, along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, continue to investigate the death.
The individual transported to a local hospital was a 55-year-old Appleton man, who was an employee of the group home. He was overcome by smoke when he entered the building to look for occupants. He was treated at a local hospital and was released. Investigators have accounted for all individuals and employees at the home.
The Appleton Fire Department estimates fire damage to be about $10,000.
Those who have information about the fire are asked to call Appleton Police Sgt. Brian Leitzinger at 920-832-5541.
Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous can text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of the message.
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Updated Story...
A man is dead in Appleton after a fire at a group home-treatment center near downtown Appleton. Firefighters arrived just after six this morning to the home on the 500 block of North Division Street.
The Appleton Fire department was here within minutes of getting a call this morning. But most that live on this block had no clue what was happening.
"I have no idea what's going on. I woke up and I was like no! I was surprised anything happened," says Brittany Alexander of Appleton.
“I heard the sirens early this morning and at about 8 o’clock I was walking down that way and I saw all the activity.
Firefighters managed to get three people out of the group home alive. One of them though, had to go to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
"According to the fire fighters I spoke to there was heavy smoke inside the residence," says Sgt. Dave Lund of the Appleton Police Department.
Firefighters also discovered one man dead. They spent much of the day investigating the scene after getting a search warrant for the home. Also present was a representative from the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation. They wouldn't elaborate on what they were specifically investigating.
"I can't provide you with where the location of the fire was or where the source was or where the individuals were found," said Sgt. Lund.
What we do know from talking with neighbors is there are several group homes along this block. But according to the people who live here, it’s usually a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.
Now the people from this neighborhood will have to wait for answers about how one of their neighbors died.
Appleton Police say an autopsy is currently being done in Fond du Lac which will give investigators a better idea of how that man died.
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Original Story...
One person has died following a fire at a group home on the 500 block of N. Division St. in Appleton. The call came in just after 6:00 AM. When firefighters arrived, they found a fire inside the residence. The unidentified body was discovered during a search of the building. Another victim suffered smoke inhalation and transported to a local hospital.
The State Fire Marshal has been called to the scene to assist in the investigation.
NBC26 has a crew on the screen and we will update this story as new information becomes available.
