Three people died in a house fire in Watertown early Friday, authorities said.
The Watertown fire and police departments and the state fire marshal are investigating the fire in the 100 Block of Western Avenue that was reported about 12:30 a.m. Friday, Watertown Fire Department Chief Travis Teesch said in a statement. Police and fire personnel found the home engulfed in flames when they arrived and were told that residents were trapped inside, Teesch said. Firefighters attempted to rescue the residents, but were driven back by the intense heat, smoke and flames, Teesch said.
Names and ages of the three who died had not been released.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, Teesch said.
Watertown is off Interstate 90-94 about halfway between Madison and Milwaukee.