VANDENBROEK – A town of Vandenbroek home is a total loss Friday after firefighters were hindered by heavy interior clutter.
According to a news release, the Vandenbroek-Kaukauna Fire Department, Kaukauna First Responders, Kaukauna Ambulance, and Freedom Fire Department were 6:40 p.m. Friday to N2047 County Road J in the Town of Kaukauna for a reported structure fire.
Dispatch advised that a passerby saw smoke coming from the eaves of the home.
The caller tried to contact the residents at the door but received no response and noted that the house felt unusually hot.
Based on this information, Wrightstown Fire Department was requested for a full assist.
The first crews arrived on scene within four minutes of dispatch and confirmed smoke showing.
Crews then attempted to get into the home for a primary search but were met with a significant amount of personal contents obstructing access, according to the news release.
A second entry attempt was made through a second-floor window, but search efforts were again hindered by heavy interior clutter.
Due to the interior conditions, an excavator was brought in to aid in accessing the fire area.
Police later confirmed that no occupants were present and that the homeowner was out of state.
Additional support was requested from Greenleaf Fire Department for manpower and Outagamie County CERT for assistance.
All units cleared the scene after approximately four hours.
The house is a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Assisting agencies:
Kaukauna-Vandenbroek First Responders
Freedom Fire Department
City of Kaukauna Fire Department
Wrightstown Fire Department
Greenleaf Volunteer Fire Department
Outagamie County CERT
Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office
Outagamie County Communications Center – 911
