Smoke alarm, firefighters save lives, duplex

Posted at 12:40 p.m. on January 19, 2020

The Brillion News

BRILLION – An early morning fire on Sunday could have been much worse, if not for two things: smoke detectors that awoke eight people in two units of a duplex, and a rapid response by the Brillion Fire Department that likely saved the building.

“[The smoke detector] saved eight people this morning, between the two units,” Brillion Fire Chief Joseph Diener said. “It could have been much worse.”

It began at about 3:30 a.m. when smoke detectors in the north unit of the duplex, at 421 N. Glenview Avenue, sounded. The alarm awakened the three people in the home at 421, and the five people asleep in the south half of the structure, at 419 N. Glenview Avenue.

“We encountered heavy smoke coming from [the east and north] sides of the home, with flames coming out both the [back] window and back door,” Chief Diener said.

The first crew of firefighters attacked the fire on the back side of the home; the second crew attacked from the front and did the interior attack.

He said the cold weather was a challenge, but said it could have been worse if there had been stronger winds.

See the complete story, including the kindness of a local business, in the Thursday, January 23, PRINT EDITION of The Brillion News.