A fast-moving overnight blaze tore through a two-story duplex in Ledgeview, Wis., early Monday, leaving both units uninhabitable and several residents suddenly without a place to sleep. Fire crews pulled a dog and a cat from the smoke and flames, and authorities say there were no reported human injuries as neighbors watched ladder trucks and engines working under the streetlights. Displaced residents are receiving assistance while investigators sort out what happened.
The first 911 call came in just before 1:50 a.m. from the 2000 block of River Point Court, where a caller reported an electric bike on fire inside an attached garage. The flames spread into both sides of the duplex before crews from De Pere, Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, Lawrence and other departments knocked the fire down in about 20 minutes. By then, the damage was extensive and losses were estimated at roughly $500,000. The Brown County Fire Investigation Team is looking into the cause, and the Red Cross is helping displaced occupants, according to WBAY.
How It Started
Initial reports to dispatchers indicated the fire began when an electric bicycle caught fire while in the attached garage, officials said. “All occupants have met with the Red Cross and will be arranging a stay. They will be displaced from their residences for a good period of time,” De Pere Fire Rescue interim chief Brett Jansen told WBAY.
E‑Bike Fires Are A Growing Concern
Fire officials and national safety groups note that lithium-ion batteries can overheat and ignite if they are damaged, charged incorrectly or paired with the wrong charger. The National Fire Protection Association advises charging e-bikes on a flat, dry surface, avoiding leaving batteries on chargers after they reach full charge and keeping devices away from exit paths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued warnings about high-risk aftermarket batteries and chargers. For detailed safety tips, see guidance from NFPA and CPSC.
Local Response And What Residents Should Do
Mutual-aid crews from neighboring towns were key to getting the blaze under control, and local leaders said rotating firefighters at the scene was a priority because of the heat. Video of the response was shared by Atlanta News First as part of a syndicated report. Officials are urging residents to charge e-bike batteries in open, well-ventilated areas and to closely follow manufacturer instructions and NFPA guidance to cut the risk of similar fires.
The Brown County Fire Investigation Team continues to examine the scene, and anyone with footage or information is asked to contact authorities. For now, fire officials say the Ledgeview blaze is a stark reminder that powered micromobility devices need careful charging and storage to prevent catastrophic fires.
