'I will miss her so much': Family identifies 84-year-old woman killed in Greendale house fire
GREENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A family is mourning the loss of their 84-year-old mother after a house fire in Greendale.
Fatal Greendale house fire
Family members say Julia Esaman had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in December and was bedridden. Family members say they tried to get their mother out, but the smoke was too much to bear.
“And I just can imagine her struggle of being in the house with the smoke until the fire department or ambulance came. How it felt for her,” said Esaman’s daughter, who did not want to be identified.
On Monday morning around 8 a.m., firefighters were called to Enfield Avenue and arrived to heavy smoke and fire.
Esaman’s daughter says her brother was doing laundry when the dryer caught on fire.
“My brother did try to stamp them out with his feet but it had already went up the electrical box which was located behind the dryer and it sparked,” said Esaman’s daughter.
Esaman’s daughter says her siblings tried to get to their mom, but the smoke was too much.
Julia Esaman
“The first thing that came to my mind was I hope my mother gets out,” said Esaman.
Esaman died at a hospital later that day.
“It’s sad I had to lose her this way,” said her daughter.
The Greendale Fire Department says the fire was difficult to fight. Greendale fire officials says there were no working smoke detectors in the house.
“At this time this was a hoarder house so it made our operations very difficult getting inside,” said Village of Greendale Fire Department Chief Kenton Kais.
Esaman’s daughter says her mom didn’t have much growing up and so she liked to hold onto sentimental items.
“She told me stories about her having to go to the library and get her toys and she says you don’t know how it feels to return the toys two weeks later,” said her daughter.
Esaman’s daughter says she will just hold onto the memories.
“An excellent person and I will miss her so much,” said Esaman’s daughter. “As a loving mother. The best mother in the world.”
Published: Feb. 23, 2026
GREENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An 84-year-old woman died after being pulled from a house fire in Greendale on Monday morning, Feb. 23.
Officials were called to the scene on Enfield Avenue just after 8 a.m.
According to the Greendale Fire Department, officials arrived at the scene with heavy smoke coming out of the front door, and fire on the east side of the home. It's believed the fire originated in the basement.
An 84-year-old woman was located inside the residence and transported to an area hospital via ambulance. She was later pronounced deceased. The fire chief noted there weren't any working smoke alarms in the home.
"It doesn't matter if you live in a tent, all the way up to apartment buildings. You should always have smoke alarms," said Chief Kenten Kais. "It will alert the people to get out as fast as possible and to get the fire department here as soon as possible as well."
Two other residents were able to exit the house prior to the fire department's arrival.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but is not believed to be suspicious in nature.
The Greendale Fire Department had assistance from Milwaukee, Hales Corners, Greenfield, and Franklin fire departments.