Okauchee, WI, Oct. 7, 2004 -- Fire destroyed a senior condominium complex that was under construction. A firefighter line-of-duty death also resulted from this incident.
The condominium project involved the renovation of a historic church built in 1923, a school built in 1954 and a newly constructed addition. The church was constructed of terracotta walls, stucco exterior, a clay tile roof and an all-wooden interior. The school was constructed of a steel frame, an all-wooden interior, and a brick-and-wood exterior with an asphalt shingle roof.
The Okauchee Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire "with fire showing" at 11:27 A.M. One engine; two engine/tankers and a heavy rescue responded with nine firefighters under the command of Chief Ronald Stock. Automatic mutual aid was immediately dispatched due to the reports of fire showing. The Stone Bank, City of Delafield and Ixonia volunteer fire departments responded with two engines; four tankers; one aerial platform and two medic units.
First-due Engine 4867 was positioned off the A-B corner of the building out of the collapse zone and upwind from the heavy smoke that was being pushed by 15- to 20-mph winds. Fire was blowing from the structure on the second and third floors at the A-B corner. All construction workers were accounted for by Stock upon his arrival. Tanker 4891 was positioned to supply Engine 4867 as portable dump tanks were being set up. Engine 4867 placed its deck gun into operation and firefighters also put two 2.5-inch attack lines into operation.
Due to the limited water supply and the raging fire, additional mutual aid was requested from Oconomowoc, Ashippun, Lake Country, Hartland, Town of Delafield, Lisbon, Merton, Dousman, Mukwonago and Wales-Genesse. The fire was placed under control at 4 P.M. and mutual aid departments were released. Okauchee firefighters left the scene at 7:40 P.M.
Investigators determined that the started in a wall where balcony supports were being welded on the exterior of the building. Sparks ignited in a void area between the brick facia and the interior wall. The fast-moving fire was fanned by 15- to 20-mph winds from the southeast. As the fire advanced into the basement, the fire spread through an underground walkway to the basement of the church. Radiant heat and fire brands ignited the porch roof of the former rectory. The rectory had been used by the fire department for training drills with many holes cut in the roof and interior walls allowing the fire to spread rapidly. Damage was estimated at $4.5 million.
Assistant Chief Mike Kilpatrick of the North Lake Volunteer Fire Department suffered a fatal heart attack at the Stone Bank Fire Station while providing standby coverage. Kilpatrick had just exited his engine when he collapsed. This was witnessed by an EMS crew from the Lisbon Fire Department who provided immediate assistance. Kilpatrick was a 30-year veteran of the fire service.
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Charlottesville, VA, Fire Department
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