Nobody Injured Or Displaced By Appliance Fire On Wheeler Road

Multiple Madison Fire Department crews were sent to the 1300 block of Wheeler Road for a possible structure fire Thursday evening. The family was standing outside when Engine 10 and Medic 10 arrived. Firefighters were told the laundry dryer was on fire in the basement.
 
Descending into thick smoke as they entered the basement, firefighters had to use a thermal imaging camera to locate the laundry room. Upon entry they discovered active flames coming out of the dryer and extending into the vent and ceiling joist above.
 
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire with their handheld water extinguisher. Medic 10 pulled apart the dryer vent and cooled it down. Ladder 8 remained on scene to assist with ventilating the home. Crews confirmed heat and fire hadn’t extended beyond its point of origin.
 
It’s unknown what caused the fire. The lint trap did not appear to be plugged, and the appliance was not overloaded with clothes. Nobody was displaced by the fire.