One Person Injured in Apartment Fire

One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation injuries following a kitchen fire early this morning. The man was treated by paramedics and transported to UW Hospital. His condition is unknown, but he will be transferred to a Milwaukee hospital for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. Fire crews were dispatched to 706 Braxton Place at 4:26 am. Firefighters arrived within two minutes to find smoke coming from the apartment and a victim outside the building. Two City of Madison police officers, who were first on the scene, saw the man inside the smoke-filled apartment and pulled him to safety. Paramedics also evaluated a second person who tried to break open the apartment door. The fire was extinguished with a small amount of water and a complete search of the apartment was conducted. Firefighters were told that a second person was trapped inside the building, but their search confirmed that everyone was out. A smoke alarm was present in the apartment and firefighters heard it sounding as they extinguished the fire. Damage to the apartment and contents is estimated at $15,000. The fire originated in the kitchen and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters remind everyone of these safety tips: • Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, in each bedroom or sleeping area, and outside the bedroom doors. • Test your smoke alarms every month. • Have a home escape plan and practice it twice a year. • When the alarm sounds, get out and stay out. • After you have escaped, call 9-1-1 from a safe place. • Never go back inside the building for any reason. • Please visit www.madisonfire.org for more safety information.