Washington County residents were startled last night as emergency services rushed to suppress a house fire in Trenton. According to a social media post by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the incident was reported on Tuesday, at approximately 7:05 PM, at a residence located at 5656 River Rd. The alert came after the family of four occupying the home noticed a fire in the basement near the electrical panel.
The homeowner attempted to tackle the blaze using a small fire extinguisher, but the house soon filled with smoke, prompting the evacuation of all family members. Newburg fire personnel arrived swiftly and, executing their duties with commendable efficiency, extinguished the flames that were confined largely to the interior south wall of the basement. The home, valued at $200,000, suffered an estimated $40,000 worth of damage from smoke and the fire, with the Newburg Fire Department on point to investigate the cause, which thus far appears to be electrical in nature, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office post.
As emergency teams worked to douse the flames, River Rd. was closed between Paradise Drive and Prairie Dr. for about an hour and a half, accommodating the fire apparatus on the scene. Support was widespread, with the Newburg Fire Department receiving backup from the West Bend Fire Department and road closure assistance provided by the West Bend Police Department, while WE Energies collaborated with fire personnel on the scene; even though the American Red Cross assistance was declined by the family.
The male tenant, suffering from smoke inhalation, was taken to the hospital; fortunately, no casualties were reported among fire or police personnel attending the scene. The unity of our emergency services shines through in moments such as these, where swift action prevents potential tragedy, ensuring the safety of residents despite the unforeseen calamity of a home in flames.
