Saturday, June 19, 2010 On May 29, 2010 @ 1716 hrs De Pere, WI Fire Rescue was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 361 Southern Star Ln. Southern Star is on the far southwest side of the city, three miles from Station #2. A structure fire response of Engines 111 and 121, and Ladder 111 staffed by seven on duty firefighters was dispatched along with the departments Paid-on-Call firefighters. Enroute E121 Officer, based on numerous reports of fire, requested the incident be upgraded to a “Working Still”.   The “Working Still” added off duty De Pere firefighters staffing Engine 122, Ambulance 111, and Utility 111 along with Lawrence Engine 621, Ashwaubenon Ladder 311, Allouez Engine 1611 (RIT), Chiefs 102, 390, and 690. With a change of quarters by Bellevue Engine 521 and Green Bay Ambulance 421. 
 
Prior to the fire departments arrival the occupants had moved their vehicles out of the garage and thrown the main breaker on the electrical panel. The garage overhead doors were left open. Police on scene reported all occupants were out of the house and safe. 
 
On arrival of E121 at 1724 hrs the Officer reported a single story, wood frame, single family home with heavy smoke on side C of the garage. Walk around revealed fire on exterior wall of garage at the C/D corner, near the underground electrical service meter, with fire extending up to the roof and soffit. No smoke or fire was noted in the garage or house. Garage walls and ceiling were paneled with sheetrock.
 
E121 crew pulled a 1 ¾” preconnect and advanced it on the visible fire. E111 and L111 arrived. Officer of E111 was briefed, established and assumed Command, and assigned accountability. E111 crew established a hydrant water supply to E121.   L111 began preparation to raise the aerial. IRIT was established with L111 and E111 crews.
 
E121 crew extinguished exterior fire and advanced through the garage service door on side C to check for and to extinguish fire in the attic of the garage. No smoke or flame was visible in the garage area and E121 crew was clearly visible to Command and L111 crew through the open overhead doors on side A. E121 crew was able to access the garage attic through a ceiling scuttle. Once this scuttle was pulled a large volume of fire was seen in the garage attic. E121 crew began extinguishment while calling for a crew to pull ceilings. Command and L111 acknowledged the request.
 
Due to the remoteness of this subdivision only A111 and E621, of the “Working Still” assignment, had arrived on scene. A111 was assisting L111 and E621 had not yet been assigned. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E121 crew noted the ceiling of the garage starting to sag and immediately evacuated the area. Two members exited through the side C service door and one through the side A overhead door. The garage ceiling and the roof above catastrophically failed. Crew reported that from the time they noted the ceiling sag to collapse was approximately 3-5 seconds. This collapse occurred 6-7 minutes after the arrival of E121.
 
A ‘Mayday” was called and a building evacuation was immediately implemented. Operations Command requested a Personnel Accountability Report and all members reported in. A defensive operation was started with multiple hose lines and master streams placed in service. The fire was brought under control at 1759 hrs with the last unit leaving at 2014 hrs.
 
This subdivision has been developed over the last seven years and is still under development. This house is of lightweight wood frame and truss construction and is approximately five years old. It has a poured concrete basement, vinyl siding over OSB sheeting, and asphalt shingles over OSB sheeting on a pitched roof. The collapse involved the garage and kitchen areas along with a portion of the great room that is adjacent to the kitchen. Metal plate connected “W” trusses were used in the garage and kitchen areas while metal plate connected scissor truss construction (cathedral ceiling) was used over the great room.
 
The fire is still under investigation but is believed to be a result of an electrical short. The fire extended up the outside walls of the building and entered the attic area through soffits, fly rafters, and the gable ends.
 
Photos taken by De Pere Fire Prevention Bureau unless otherwise noted.