| Big Radio News |
The Janesville Fire Department says fire crews made quick work of a fire Friday afternoon in Janesville’s Courthouse Hill neighborhood.
Janesville Fire Battalion Chief Josh Uecker says the fire appeared to have broken out in the attic of a 3-story brick single-family home at 319 S. Wisconsin St.
Firefighters were still investigating, but the blaze appears linked to a fire in a wood stove in operation inside the house. The fire broke out about 2 p.m. Friday.
Uecker says the fire could have been worse, but the wind on Courthouse Hill stayed mild Friday afternoon, and the home’s older construction, originally built with thicker lumber, kept the fire from taking off and damaging the house more. He says firefighters were able to keep the flames and heat mainly to the attic.
“It’s old wood, so it’s much larger. The full attic was covered with 1-by-8-inch planks,” Uecker said. “Fire can burn at that (old wood) for 10 minutes and it’s still relatively strong and stable.”
Uecker says one resident, a male, was home. He evacuated without injury.
Uecker did not have an immediate damage estimate, but he says it won’t be long before the residents will be able to return home.
