5/22/23 Large Structure Fire in Slinger Wisconsin
22 May 2023 News
Update Press Released From the Washington County Sheriff’s Office:
On 05/21/2023 at approximately 7:23pm, the Washington County Communications Center began taking 911 calls reporting smoke and flame coming from Oak Creek Wood Products, which is located alongside Hwy/I-41 south of Slinger in the Town of Polk. The first responding Deputy observed dark smoke coming from the area while still en route. Slinger Fire was subsequently paged to the scene.
Upon the first deputy’s arrival, a piece of equipment and a mulch pile were found to be actively on fire and spreading quickly in the rear of the business. The response was upgraded to the MABAS Box level. Due to the nature of the business and the amount of flammable material, the fire continued to spread rapidly on large mulch piles and stacked pallets, before also entering the building itself, which is located closer to the interstate. The fire response was again upgraded multiple times for additional resources and tenders. Hwy/I-41 southbound was shut down at Hwy-60 for approximately one hour while containment was still being established on the scene. Fire personnel were successful in preventing the spread into the entire building, stopping it in the back portion. The effort then switched to preventing the spread into other mulch and wood piles.
Fire crews are expected to be on scene into the morning of 5/22 as they continue to try and extinguish the many areas that continue to burn and smolder. These piles are being systematically disassembled with excavation equipment and then wet down. There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire or the firefighting efforts. There is no damage assessment at this time, as the incident and investigation are still ongoing.
Slinger Fire was assisted by upwards of twenty other fire departments during the incident, and the Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Slinger and Jackson Police Departments and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
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Firefighters in Slinger, Wisconsin are battling a massive warehouse fire in the 3200 block of Sherman Way. They were dispatched just before 7:30 Sunday night along with Lifestar EMS. Southbound Interstate 41 was closed for a time at State Highway 60. Officials were asking that people not pull over on I-41 to view the fire and drivers keep their eyes on the road. The property is owned by JFF Wood Products, which is located at 3247 Sherman Way in Slinger. Last evening the Iron Ridge Fire Department was asked by the Slinger Fire Department to bring a grass truck to the scene. They were requested to assist with suppression and overhaul of large mulch piles on fire.
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