UPDATED Friday, January 22, 2010 --- 7:55 a.m.

From the Madison Fire Department:
Eastside Fire Cause: Unattended Cooking

City of Madison Fire Investigators say last night’s duplex fire that displaced five occupants was caused by unattended cooking.

Occupants reported seeing flames rising from a pan on the stove where grease was being heated. One occupant, asleep at the time, awoke after choking on smoke from the fire. She alerted several family members while another occupant ran to the second floor of the two-story unit to alert his sister. Smoke alarms sounded as the family evacuated. No one was injured, though paramedics treated two people for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Firefighters were dispatched to 2027 Vondron Road at 6:40 p.m. yesterday. Engine Company 5 arrived to find the home filled with heavy black smoke, and flames coming through a sliding glass door at the rear of the structure.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 20 minutes of their arrival. They were able to contain the fire to the side of the duplex where the fire is believed to have started. The other side suffered only light smoke damage. The occupants of that unit were not home when the fire started.

The damage estimate is now set at $150,000, with heavy fire damage to the first floor of the two-story unit. The Red Cross – Badger Chapter assisted the family. No renters’ insurance was noted.

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Posted Thursday, January 21, 2010 --- 10:06 p.m.

Information from the Madison Fire Department:

Five people are displaced tonight following a fire at a duplex on Madison's far east side.

Firefighters were called to 2027 Vondron Road this evening at 6:40.

Engine Company 5 arrived to find the home filled with heavy black smoke, and flames coming through a sliding glass door at the rear of the structure. The occupants had self-evacuated.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 20 minutes of their arrival. They were able to contain the fire to the side of the duplex where the fire is believed to have started. The other side suffered only light smoke damage. The occupants of that unit were not home when the fire started.

Two people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. The preliminary damage estimate is set at $130,000, with heavy fire damage to the first floor of the two-story unit.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.