Side of a fire truck with the letters MFD
Fire
Chris Carbon, Fire Chief

Fire Damages Eastside Businesses

  • Location

    2000 block Atwood Avenue
    Madison, WI

  • Incident Date

    Dispatch: Feb. 25, 2018 - 5:53am
    Arrival: Feb. 25, 2018 - 5:58am

  • Incident Type

    Structure

43.092306, -89.35466

This map displays an approximate location.

Updates

Madison Fire Department Investigators have determined the fire that occurred on Sunday February 25, 2018 at 2004 Atwood Avenue (Chocolaterian Café) was accidental in nature and a result of an electrical failure in the basement.

Posted 03/01/18 at 2:31pm

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Madison Fire Investigators completed the investigative scene exam at 2004 Atwood Avenue and the building has been turned over to the owners and their insurance representatives.

The fire remains under investigation.  Fire damage has been estimated at $750,000.

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Madison Fire Investigators are continuing their investigation into the origin and cause of Sunday’s fire.  They hope to complete their investigative exam and documentation of the fire scene today.  Once that is completed, the building will be returned to the owner.

Before they began working in the basement, investigators called upon the City of Madison Engineering Department to pump out standing water.  On Monday, the fire department’s heavy urban rescue team structurally reinforced the first floor so it was safe to enter the basement.

Investigators are still working with the building’s owners and tenants and their insurance representatives to assess the costs of the fire.  Updates will be posted when more information is available.




 

Incident Details

A two alarm fire caused significant damage to the building and several businesses located at 2004 Atwood Avenue.

Engine 3 was dispatched at 5:53 am for a smoke odor in the neighborhood.  Their investigation led them to the Chocolaterian Café where they found a working structure fire.  A full fire response was immediately sent to the scene.  A second alarm was requested about 20 minutes later, bringing additional crews.

Firefighters searched the basement, first floor and second floor to make sure nobody was in the building.  They located and extinguished fire in the basement and second floor.  Flames also extended into the attic space and crews were sent to the roof.  Several holes were cut in the roof to allow extinguishment of the flames in the tight attic space.

MGE responded to the scene to disconnect the electricity and gas service to the building.  The Salvation Army provided snacks and hot drinks for the crews on the scene.

No injuries were reported at the scene.  No damage estimate is available at this time.    The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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