By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
A north side Burlington duplex was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon as firefighters battled raging, wind-driven flames in an attempt to control the blaze at 372-374 Joan Street.
There were no immediate reports of injuries as residents of that duplex and several adjacent apartment buildings were evacuated by City of Burlington police.
Firefighters were dispatched about 1:20 p.m. after receiving a 911 call regarding smoke and flames coming from the unit at 372 on the northwest side of the duplex.
By the time firefighters arrived, that entire side of the building was engulfed in flames, as were a car and a motorcycle parked in the adjacent driveway.
Joe Klein, 16, who lives at 372 Joan Street, said he was at a friend’s house when he received a call from a neighbor telling him his house was on fire. Klein, who lives there with his mother, brother and a friend, was visibly shocked by the inferno when he arrived at the scene.
He said the friend, Steven Stienke, who lives with Klein his family, was the only one home at the time. Stienke reportedly saw smoke coming from the basement and fled the residence.
Another witness said firefighters were able to rescue a pet cat that was in the home.
Flames quickly spread from the northwest wall to the roof and across the attic crawl space to the other unit.
With temperatures near 90 degrees and winds gusting to 40 mph, firefighters worked in difficult conditions, attacking the flames in shifts. They blasted water at the fire from several angles, including from above with the department’s aerial platform truck.
It was nearly 2 p.m. when all the flames appeared extinguished and firefighters continued spraying water on potential hot spots.
See Thursday’s print edition of the Burlington Standard Press for additional information and photos from the fire. A slideshow is available for viewing on the “Slideshows” tab at the top of this page.
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my thoughts and prayers go out to the families that this fire affected. I am glad everyone got out okay and that they are all safe though. i am a burlington resident, and i drove past the scene and i was just in shock on the destruction of the building.
Our deepest sympathies go out to these families and their neighbors.
We lost our home in the Wheatland tornado, so we understand the pain the families are feeling.
Please respect their privacy and try to refrain from driving past the home. The additional traffic causes a lot frustration for their neighbors as well.
This is just devestating. My this family must be distraught. My thoughts and prayers and what I can help with are with this family.
My deepest sympathy and empathy go out to the victims of this tragedy. I lost my own home to a fire seven years ago so I completely understand the sense of loss and devastation they are feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
My prayer with them god