Three-alarm fire guts Burlington home

Neighbor heard sound like an explosion; residents escape serious injury

By Ed Nadolski

Editor in Chief

Members of the Racine County Fire Investigation Task Force were on the scene Saturday morning trying to determine the cause of a three-alarm blaze that gutted a home at 116 Johnson St., Burlington.

Two people were in the home when the fire broke out about 11:50 p.m. Friday, according to City Fire Chief Perry Howard. An adult woman escaped uninjured by jumping from a second-floor window, Howard said. A man who escaped through a door at the back of the residence sustained a minor injury. He was treated at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington and released, Howard said.

A firefighter was also treated for symptoms of dehydration.

Howard said a neighbor called 911 after hearing what sounded like an explosion and then seeing flames at the house.

Firefighters were on scene less than two minutes later, according to Howard. The city’s fire station is approximately a quarter mile away.

Fire and support units from 13 area agencies responded. The response was elevated to three alarms on the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System as the entire house became involved, Howard said.

Flames tore through the two-story wood frame home eventually reaching the roof on the second floor. Although the exterior walls were still intact Saturday, it appeared that much of the interior had been gutted by the fire.

Although he was careful not to speculate on explosion as a possible the cause of the fire, Perry said portions of the home were knocked off the foundation and some of the walls were bowed.

He said the investigation has been turned over to the Task Force.

Howard also said he was very pleased with the firefighting response and the fact that crews responded in less than two minutes.

“City firefighters did a fantastic job, but we didn’t do it alone. We had plenty of help,” he said, referring to the mutual aid response.

For further details and additional photos, see the Oct. 10 print edition of the Burlington Standard Press.