Busy Night for Madison Firefighters With Three Structure Fires

City of Madison firefighters scrambled to manage resources this evening with three near-simultaneous structure fires between 6:30 and 7:00.

The first call, at 605 Elmside Blvd. began with a report of an odor of smoke and a haze in the house. Firefighters were dispatched at 6:34 p.m. Upon arrival, Engine 3 could smell an electrical odor and noticed a slight haze in the kitchen. The thermal imaging camera detected no hot spots and crews determined the cause as the refrigerator motor. An electrician was called and the house was left in the care of the homeowner.

The second and most serious of the fires occurred at 725 Pulley Drive. The call came in at 6:35 from a neighbor who saw smoke and flames. The occupants were not home at the time.

Engine Company 11 and Medic 8 were first on scene and found smoke coming from the front door and the eaves of the single-family home. They entered the home, tracing the fire to the kitchen area and extinguished it within minutes of their arrival. Crews performed ventilation and overhaul. There was significant damage to the kitchen, and smoke damage throughout. A dog and two chinchillas died in the fire. Firefighters retrieved a bearded dragon from the home which survived the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damages are estimated at $40,000.

At 7:00 p.m., firefighters were called to 4500 block of Tennessee Trail for a probable kitchen fire. Crews pulled a 200 foot pre-connect through the front door. The fire was extinguished quickly and firefighters followed up with ventilation. Damages are estimated at $75,000.

There were three juveniles home at the time of the fire. The oldest, a 16-year-old, had food on the stove and fell asleep. He awoke and discovered the fire in the kitchen. All three escaped without injury.