SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI (WHBL) – Despite the efforts of multiple fire departments, EMTs and paramedics, a house fire in Sheboygan Falls Tuesday night resulted in the death of at least two children.
Sheboygan Falls Director of Public Safety Steve Riffel tells WHBL News the initial call came around 9 p.m. on the 500 block of Western Avenue. When crews arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames visible from the structure.
“There were four children, 11 years of age and younger, in the home,” says Riffel. “One of the children was able to exit the home and contact the neighbor. Officers had attempted to gain entry, but the smoke was extremely thick and heavy, and fire fighters were able to rapidly get into the house and locate three children and extract them from the home. Paramedics performed emergency aid and transferred them to St. Nicholas Hospital.”
From there, Flight for Life was needed to transport the injured children to other hospitals. When WHBL News talked to Riffle around 2 a.m. Wednesday, the fire had become fatal. “I can tell you that one of the children has passed away, and two of the children, at the last report that I have, was flighted by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee.”
It took fire fighters under two hours to get the fire under control, but what caused it remains to be determined. “We did contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office who are also on scene, (along with) the Sheboygan County Fire Investigation Unit, and at this time we are just beginning to see what occurred.”
by Rusty Melhberg, WHBL
