Cats Believed to Have Started Madison, WI, Apartment Fire

Neighbors used an extinguisher to douse the stove fie, a Madison fire official said.

By Jeff Richgels

Source The Wisconsin State Journal

Aug. 18, 2025

Cats Believed to Have Started Madison, WI, Apartment Fire, Officials Say

Cats may have started stove fire neighbors put out at Far East Side apartment

Neighbors put out a stove fire at a Far East Side apartment on Thursday afternoon, authorities reported.

Fire crews were sent to the 800 block of Harrington Drive on a report of a kitchen fire at 2:04 p.m. and arrived at 2:10 p.m., Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said in a statement.

Residents of the multi-unit complex said they heard smoke alarms and could smell smoke coming from a neighboring unit. Although the occupant of the unit wasn’t home, the occupant was able to instruct neighbors on how to get in, and the neighbors entered, found fire on the stove, and put it out with an extinguisher.

Firefighters checked the kitchen to confirm all fire was extinguished and cleared smoke from the residence.

Although the cause of the fire is unknown, firefighters suspect the cats may have jumped on the stove and turned it on.

No injuries were reported, the damage was limited to the stove and microwave, and the resident was not displaced.

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