APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A broken water line is being credited with controlling a fire at a home near downtown Appleton.
Firefighters say they were called to the 200 block of W. Hancock Street just after 9 a.m. Tuesday. A city utility crew investigating an unusually large water flow noticed the fire. A neighbor, who happened to be a lieutenant with the fire department, helped with the discovery of the fire while he was off duty.
When crews arrived, they found the fire in the ceiling of the basement had been put out, along with water flowing from a broken copper connection. Crews turned off the water and investigated. They discovered that the house had registered an unusually high flow of water for the previous five days. No one had been home in more than a week.
No injuries were reported in the fire. The house and contents had minor heat and some smoke damage, but firefighters say they can mostly be salvaged. Damage was estimated at $5,000.
Damage from a fire on W. Hancock Street in Appleton Aug. 18, 2020. (Courtesy Appleton Fire Dept.)
Firefighters determined the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction resulting from a poor connection.
The fire department says this incident is a reminder of how early application of water can help stop a fire. The department recommends all buildings — including homes — have fire sprinklers.
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