History Channel star judges Halligan bars for ’Cast in Steel’ contestants at Milwaukee School of Engineering

VIDEO: The Milwaukee School of Engineering is playing host to a competition drawing students from all over the world, and this year's "Cast in Steel" contestants found insight from their local fire departments. "Lt. Schultz, Engine 37, and this is The Love Handle." The Boston Fire Department was called on by students who wanted to know if the Halligan bar they crafted would work on the job. "We've learned a lot and I think it's really gonna help us in our careers," said Kannon Behrens, sophomore, Wentworth Institute of Technology. These six sophomores from Wentworth Institute of Technology were among some 200 students from 42 universities from around the world who are in Milwaukee now, showcasing their Halligan bars used by firefighters for forceable entry.
WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee

Area and Wisconsin DNR fire officials say wild land fires are up significantly this year so far

A grass fire just south of Eau Claire is one of several that fire crews responded to in recent days. “7 fires over the course of a week is a pretty busy week. Historically for how often our agency responds to fires,” said Andrew Sorenson. He is a team leader with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division. Sorenson said the dry conditions have kept him and others responding to fire busy this year. “We actually started our year really early. Our first fire in Augusta here was actually February 2nd. Which is very odd. We’re normally under snow cover,” said Sorenson. The 7 fires he mentioned were for areas considered east of Eau Claire, which include: Augusta, Neillsville, Black River Falls and slightly up north Jim Falls.
WEAU-TV NBC 13 Eau Claire

Fire in Green Bay causes $60K in damages, leaves three without home

Three Green Bay residents are without a home after a fire on the 800 block of School Place on Monday afternoon. According to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, firefighters were sent to the 800 block of School Place shortly after 1:15 p.m. Upon arrival, crews found smoke and fire coming from the second floor of a multi-family occupancy. Green Bay firefighters were able to control the incident within ten minutes of arriving on the scene. All occupants had evacuated before crews arrived at the residence. No firefighters or civilians were injured during this incident, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. As a result, the fire is estimated to have caused $60,000 in damages, and three people who were living at the location are now without a home. No additional details were provided.
WFRV-TV CBS 5 Green Bay

Fire on Madison’s west side displaces family

A fire on the city's west side displaced a family Sunday night, according to the Madison Fire Department. Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon said crews were called the the 5100 block of Loruth Terrace around 7:44 p.m. by neighbors reporting smoke and flames coming from a home's garage. Carbon said when crews arrived, they saw heavy black smoke and the garage on fire. The fire was controlled by 8:12 p.m. Carbon said no one was hurt, and no people were inside the house. Crews did find a dog and a pet bird safe, and Madison Police helped the family find their second dog that had run away. He said the garage has major damage, and windows above the garage were blown out by the heat. Smoke was also present throughout the home. Crews are still investigating the cause of the fire.
WKOW-TV ABC 27 Madison

Big Bend landscaping business destroyed after massive fire

Multiple agencies responded to a structure fire in Big Bend on Friday, April 19. It happened near Industrial and Edgewood. It was just after 9 p.m. when Greg Peterson got the call. "Sick. Sick to my stomach," said Peterson. "I mean look at the steel, just crumbled. Just melted.” His longtime landscaping business, Extreme Exteriors, went up in flames. “23 years, we had that. Just kind of sad," said Peterson. “It’s amazing what fire can do.” The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department says it's likely the fire began because of wood staining rags. More than 20 area fire department agencies responded to the call. The fire departments were able to contain the fire and no other businesses were affected, according to the sheriff's office. No one was injured. “There were so many fire trucks and so many people that helped," said Peterson.
WDJT-TV CBS 58 Milwaukee