Video: Fire Consumes Wis. Apartment Building

Aug. 9, 2014
Eleven Madison fire companies responded to the blaze on the city's east side.

Flames quickly engulfed a Madison apartment building that was under construction Friday evening.

Passersby on nearby Interstate 90 began calling 911 around 7:30 and crews from Engine 5 and Medic 5 called a second alarm before they arrived due to the size of the fire, according to Madison Fire Department Public Information Officer Lori Wirth.

The top two floors of the four-story, 64-unit building were fully involved. 

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Wirth said the intense heat from the fire forced fire crews to relocate their apparatus shortly after arrival. They began a defensive attack and worked to protect nearby homes.

"Houses across the street had melted siding and cracked windows from the heat, but firefighters kept a steady stream of water on them to keep them cooled, and also fire streams on themselves to protect them from the heat," Wirth said.

As firefighters battled the blaze, falling debris started grass fires.

The fire was placed under control at 9:37 p.m. 

Eleven fire companies responded to the scene to attack the blaze and two units remained on scene overnight dousing hot spots.

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