Five buildings damaged by flame, smoke
By Robert Cloud
A fire in the town of Lind spread over 2.5 acres and damaged five buildings Wednesday, April 12.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Waupaca firefighters were called to a structure fire on the E2900 block of Nelsen Road.
The initial call reported that the fire involved an small outbuilding, which Waupaca Fire Chief Gerald Deuman described as a “summer kitchen” with a wood-burning stove.
While firefighters were en route, dispatch advised that a 1,000-gallon propane tank had exploded.
Deuman told the Waupaca County Post that the “propane tank flew 250 yards to the west.”
A second call from dispatch indicated that the fire had reached the home and was threatening the barn.
Flames spread through the grass, causing a wildland fire. Wisconsin DNR personnel arrived at the scene and extinguished smaller fires about a quarter-mile away from the property.
The DNR and the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that remains in effect for Waupaca County and and the southern half of the state.
Warm temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and exceptionally dry fuels can result in catastrophic fires.
The cause of the Nelsen Road fire remains under investigation.
According to the Waupaca Fire Department’s incident report, Wednesday’s fire caused at least $94,000 in property damage, in addition to destroying household belongings valued at an estimated $25,500.
There were two residents and no reported injuries.
Seven other area fire departments assisted at the scene.