FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Three people were found dead following a fire at a group home in Fond du Lac Thursday morning.
Firefighters say a witness called 911 around 6 a.m. to report the fire on the front porch of the home in the 600 block of S. Military Road. When firefighters arrived, they discovered the fire had spread into the main building.
Two people who were on the first floor escaped the fire safely. Those who died were on the second floor.
Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says the building is a group home for adults who can care for themselves but have cognitive disabilities.
Around 11 a.m., firefighters confirmed two others were found deceased on the second floor.
Crews are not searching for any more occupants.
O’Leary says they, along with the State of Wisconsin Fire Marshal’s Office, will investigate why the victims were unable to escape, including whether there were working smoke detectors in the home and whether the residents had an escape plan in the event of a fire.
Firefighters say they have not found anything unusual about the gas or electric lines in the building.
They say it appears fire alarms on the building’s first floor went off. It’s not known if alarms sounded on the second floor.
Autopsies are planned for Friday.
