Trapped firefighters rescued

A Waupaca home was lost to a fire over the weekend.

Firefighters were called out to the corner of Seventh Street and Demarest Avenue shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.

When they arrived they found heavy smoke pouring out of the entire structure and flames shooting out a window.

Waupaca requested aid, Weyauwega, Scandinavia, Iola and Saxeville sent firefighters and equipment.

The first attack team entered the house through the front door and knocked the fire down in a back bedroom.

The second team entered the attic where they found smoke, but no flames.

Fans were used to remove smoke from the building.

Another team went into the basement, but found moderate smoke and no flames or heat. They went back upstairs to help with the bedroom.

Weyauwega firefighters entered the basement to open two windows in the basement to allow the smoke to vent.

At first they encountered only moderate smoke, but before the Weyauwega team reached the windows, the basement suddenly filled with smoke and flashed over.

The Weyauwega firefighters became disoriented, were unable to exit the basement and declared a mayday.

A rapid intervention team entered the basement and helped the Weyauwega firefighters escape the building.

Gold Cross Ambulance arrived to examine and treat the Weyauwega and RIT team members.

Waupaca Fire Chief Gerald Deuman reported that two of the Weyauwega firefighters were “shaken up a bit,” but not injured.

Because the building was no longer safe to enter, all firefighters were ordered to exit the house.

Faulks Bros. was called and they tore down the structure.

Crews were at the scene for nearly six hours.

The loss of property and contents is estimated at nearly $180,000.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.