In the dark, early hours of Wednesday morning, a house fire in Hokah turned deadly, killing one person and leaving a woman with severe burns after flames tore through a home that was already fully engulfed by the time help arrived.
Houston County deputies and firefighters reached the scene at about 4:30 a.m. and found the structure overtaken by fire. Emergency crews pulled an injured adult from outside the house, then later discovered a second person in the debris who did not survive. Authorities have not yet released the names of either person, and investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze.
Where it happened
According to Bring Me The News, Houston County deputies and fire crews were called to a house fire at 90 S. 3rd Street in Hokah at around 4:30 a.m. The outlet reports that the home was “totally engulfed” when first responders got there, with firefighters from Hokah and nearby La Crescent joining forces to attack the flames.
Rescue and injuries
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found a woman outside the burning home with “extreme burns throughout her body” along with other injuries. She was taken to a hospital in La Crosse for treatment, according to reporting from KROC. Local TV station KTTC reported similar details and noted that officials have not released any update on her condition.
Investigation underway
Once crews managed to knock down the fire and search the ruins, emergency personnel found a second person dead inside the debris, according to the Post Bulletin. The outlet reports that Houston County Sheriff Brian Swedberg extended condolences to those affected and said the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Hokah Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are all involved in the investigation.
Authorities say the investigation remains active and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
