Two Firefighters Injured Battling Fire at Apartment Complex in Kewaskum

KEWASKUM - Two firefighters were injured and 15 residents are displaced following an apartment fire on Braatz Drive in Kewaskum.

The fire started in a bedroom shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening.

     "It looked like the whole attic was filled with fire and smoke," said Neighbor David Kadlecek. "The fireman, they did an excellent job getting here quickly."

Crews from 7 different departments spent more than 3 hours fighting the fire. One Kewaskum Fire Fighter suffered a serious medical condition on scene and was transported to Froedtert Hospital. Another Kewaskum Fire Fighter was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

     "It was heart wrenching," said Cherie Denning. "It gave me the goose bumps knowing that somebody was in dire need of some help." 

Denning owns the Bootleggerz Saloon down the block, and decided to lend a hand. 

     "I decided that I was going to offer these families free meals to help them in their time of need."

Denning is offering all the impacted families a free meal now through February 18th.

     "We're here for them," she said. 

Police requested a fire investigator from the Washington County Sheriff's Office to investigate the nature and cause of the fire.

The fire remains under investigation.