A four-alarm fire ripped through the AJ Anich Lumber‑Pal Steel facility in Palmyra around midnight, leveling large portions of the site and pulling in a regional firefighting army in brutal cold. Roughly 30 fire trucks from neighboring counties poured water on the flames for hours as it froze on contact and turned nearby roads into skating rinks. Company officials told employees they will shift operations to another facility while investigators comb through the wreckage to figure out what happened. No injuries were reported among employees or firefighters, as reported by CBS 58.
How the response unfolded
An off-duty officer first spotted smoke and called 911, according to CBS 58. Crews were initially dispatched for what sounded like a smaller shed fire on 3rd Street, but when firefighters pulled up, they found the lumber-yard facility already fully involved. That triggered calls for mutual aid and a Dane County tanker strike team as departments rushed in from outside the village. Multiple agencies stayed on scene into the morning, working to keep the flames from jumping to nearby properties.
Cold increased the challenges
As the scope of the blaze became clear, the incident was upgraded to a four-alarm response. Units from Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha and Rome counties joined Palmyra firefighters in a battle made tougher by the temperature. “The cold weather definitely made things more challenging for our crews, but everyone worked together effectively,” Palmyra deputy chief Dylan Callas said, as reported by WISN. Company representatives said some parts of the building were a total loss and confirmed staff would relocate operations while the cause of the fire is determined.
Neighbors and local leaders react
A nearby resident who woke up to an eerie glow told WMTV they saw the building engulfed in flames around 12:30 a.m. Village officials publicly thanked the off-duty officer who called the fire in, noting how quickly the situation escalated. Palmyra's police chief described the business as a longtime community staple and said the loss will hit many local families who depend on jobs there. Officials estimated major damage to the office and lumber storage areas, while some portions of the steel operations may have escaped the worst of the flames.
Damage assessment and investigation
Fire crews brought in heavy equipment, including a backhoe, to tear into problem spots and snuff out stubborn hot spots. Firefighters were expected to remain on scene for overhaul and to watch for any rekindles. Roads around the facility were expected to stay closed for at least 12 to 24 hours, and county investigators say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to WISN. Officials say they plan to release more information once investigators wrap up their on-site work.
