UPDATED Tuesday, January 22, 2013 --- 1:46 p.m.
Press Release from the Dane Co. Sheriff's Office:
Madison, WI. January 22, 2013 – Dane County Sheriff’s deputies and many local fire departments responded to two structure fires in southwestern Dane County Tuesday morning.
The first call came in at 9:57 am at 1301 HWY 69 in the town of Montrose. A barn, two attached and one detached sheds being used to store milking equipment are a total loss valued at approximately $350,000. No one was injured in the blaze and no livestock were in the barn at the time. Fire Departments that responded included Belleville, Oregon, Fitchburg, Verona, Mt. Horeb, New Glarus, Stoughton, Middleton and Brooklyn. HWY 69 was shut down for several hours, but deputies expect it to be open by about 2:00 pm.
A short time later, a second fire call was aired by the Dane County Communications Center at 11:22 am at 1145 HWY 78 in the town of Perry. A mobile home was engulfed in flames when deputies and firefighters arrived. Mt. Horeb, Blanchardville, and Barneveld Fire Departments all responded to the home, which is being considered a total loss, with a value of approximately $30,000.
The exact cause of these fires has not yet been determined, however in both instances the property owners were working to thaw frozen pipes. With the extremely cold weather, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens to use caution when thawing frozen pipes. Using an open flame can be extremely dangerous. Other options to thaw pipes include electric heat tape, hot water, or a hair dryer. These methods may take longer, but they are far less dangerous.
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Posted Tuesday, January 22, 2013 --- 12:28 p.m.
Firefighters are at the scene of a mobile home fire in Dane County.
The address is on Highway 78 in the Town of Perry.
Firefighters tell NBC15 that a homeowner was using a portable heater to try and thaw pipes. He heard popping and crackling noises, and discovered that the mobile home was on fire.
The occupants were able to get out. So far there are no official damage reports, but the home appears to be a total loss.
