February 24, 2022 at 11:02 a.m.
Apartment fire in Rhinelander displaces 26
Red Cross, Social Services providing lodging assistance
Apartment fire in Rhinelander displaces 26
According to a press release issued by Rhinelander Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour, at approximately 2:16 a.m. firefighters responded to a report that the fire alarm and sprinkler system at the Phoenix Villa Apartments (1011 Mason St.) had been activated.
When units from the Rhinelander fire and police departments arrived, the residents were already evacuating the building, the release said.
The fire was located in a second floor apartment and was confined there by the sprinkler system until it could be fully extinguished.
While the fire and smoke damage was limited to the apartment where the fire was located, all residents of the building had to be temporarily relocated due to water damage from the sprinklers, the release said.
ServiceMaster Recovery service was on scene early Monday morning, but no time frame has been given as to when the residents could return to their apartments.
"We're not sure yet. I have to go up there today and meet with them," Tonnancour said. "They're gonna have to tear walls down, obviously, because of the water damage."
As of Monday morning, the cause of the blaze was unknown but Tonnancour said he did not believe it was the result of a criminal act.
"We believe it to be accidental, nothing nefarious," he said.
He said Oneida County Emergency Management, Oneida County Social Services and the Red Cross deserve praise for how fast they responded and found lodging for the affected people.
Laura McGuire, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, said that as of Monday afternoon, 16 people from the apartment building had reached out for assistance. She said the Red Cross is working with the Salvation Army and other groups providing help to those displaced by the fire.
"We're all kind of partnering together to make sure that people get back on their feet as quickly as possible," McGuire said. "We're so grateful for our Disaster Action Team volunteers who were really the first people on the spot (Sunday) morning when the fire actually occurred. We also had a few staff people who were also providing aid to these people as all this went down."
McGuire noted that the Red Cross has seen an uptick in home fires since the start of the year.
"Here in the Red Cross Wisconsin Division, we've seen about 130 fires since the beginning of the year. That is not only in Wisconsin, but also the western U.P. Of Michigan," McGuire said. "And we've helped over 584 people."
While home fires typically increase during the winter months, 2022 is above the norm already, she said.
"We're seeing really higher than normal fires," she said.
McGuire said people should check their smoke detectors regularly and be diligent in fire prevention steps. Families should practice how to escape from their residences on a regular basis, and ensure everyone in the residence knows how to dial 9-1-1.
"These might sound like really simple things, but during a home fire, the average family has about two minutes to get out of their home," McGuire said. "So to have that safety plan in place is so important, not only to get yourself and family out of the house, but remember your pets, as well."
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.