By Kim McDarison

Some 23 area fire departments, including Whitewater Fire and EMS, responded Thursday to a fire at a single-family home in the town of Lima.

Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Dion, speaking with WhitewaterWise by phone, said the approximately 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot structure was located some five miles southwest of the city of Whitewater on McCord Road.

Whitewater firefighters arrived at the scene in “just under eight minutes from the time of dispatch,” according to information released by the Whitewater Fire Department.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:53 a.m., the release stated.

Within the release, the department reported that the owner of the home was using a pellet stove for heating, which was operating on the first floor of the building.

The owner left the residence for approximately 40 minutes and returned to find smoke and flames issuing from the home, the release stated.

The fire remains under investigation by the Whitewater Fire Department, Dion said, noting that while the origin of the fire was the pellet stove, the cause of the fire remains unknown.

He described no loss of life, and said that no-one was transported from the scene for medical attention.

He said the structure was a total loss.

Additionally, Dion said, no pets were reported inside the building.

Upon arrival, firefighters were confronted with “a high volume of smoke issuing from the home, and flames could be seen coming from the exhaust port of the pellet stove, extending (to) the structural elements of the roof assembly,” according to the release.

Firefighters initiated “an aggressive interior attack,” the release noted, during which “crews were able to extinguish the origin fire in the stove rapidly, however, the fire had extended into the attic/roof area prior to arrival,” the release reported.

The release continued: “MABAS alarm 12-6 was requested to the 2nd alarm, and eventually reached the 5th alarm for water tenders. The absence of hydrants in the rural area, and the over 500-foot setback of the dwelling from the road hindered firefighting efforts. Once confirmation was made that the structure was unoccupied, crews began a defensive attack. The fire was declared under control at 11:30 a.m., and crews continued to extinguish hot spots until approximately 12:36 p.m.”

During the incident, Whitewater Fire Chief Kelly Freeman served as incident commander.

Firefighting assets from several counties, including Walworth, Jefferson, Waukesha, Rock, and Dane arrived at the scene.

Racine Fire Bells also arrived, offering rehab assistance.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office assisted by controlling the scene. 

Assets sent to the scene by the Whitewater Fire Department included one chief, two engine companies, two tenders and an ambulance, Dion said.

The ambulance was sent in support of the firefighters and any other required assistance, he noted.

Dion said Thursday’s fire was contained to the origin building. No other property was affected during the incident.

An earlier story about the town of Lima fire is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/breaking-area-departments-battle-structure-fire-near-whitewater/.