Photos/Story by Shawn Joannes

On Wednesday February 13, 2002, The Milwaukee Fire Department were called for a report of a house fire.

Firefighters arrived within 4 minutes and found what looked like a standard house fire.

Engines 7's crew was quickly stretched a line to the basement, and were reporting they were "Getting the Fire".

The Chief then ordered everyone out because the fire on the other floors of the 2 story with full attic was spreading to fast and the risk of collapse was to great.

Engine 7, following the orders of their incident commander began to evacuate by retracing their route out of the basement.

At some point during the initial attack, Engine 7's hose line moved a dresser that exposed a doorway and the crew from Engine 7 thinking it was the doorway out of the basement began to exit through it.

However, this was not the exit but just another door leading to another part in the basement.

Remaining calm Engine 7 then backed out of that door found the doorway up and out but at this time the exit was fully involved.

The crew from Engine 12 was able to get a line to the top of the stairs, and along with Engine 7 were able to push the fire aside long enough for Engine 7 to escape the now raging fire.

All firefighters escaped injuries and the fire was started on the out side due to garbage left on curb.