Crime & Safety

2 Firefighters Injured in Whitefish Bay Garage Blaze

Injuries not life-threatening in Monday morning fire that destroyed structure at 5707 Kent Ave.

When Mary Lehrmann came home from a walk with her dog Monday morning, the dog started barking at the garage behind their house at 5707 Kent Ave.

After seeing smoke coming from the garage, she saw a neighbor standing nearby who had already called 911. The billows of smoke could be seen from as far away as the Pick 'n Save in Glendale.

Two fire engines, two ambulances and police responded to the call at 10 a.m. Monday, said Pete Busalacchi, a battalion commander with the .

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The storage unit in the upper rafters of the garage collapsed on one firefighter, who was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Busalacchi said. Another firefighter was taken to the hospital for exhaustion.

No other people were injured.

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The Lehrmanns did not have any cars in the garage at the time, and they were able to move the cars parked in front of the garage.

Busalacchi said the cause of the fire is unknown.

"We don't have any ignition source, but there were combustibles, like stored gasoline, a snowblower and a lawnmower," he said.

Fire investigators did not go inside the garage, as it was already partially collapsed. Busalacchi said a private insurance company will have to send in its own staff to conduct its own investigation.


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