On Monday, January 17, 2022, at about 9:30 pm Kenosha Fire Department responded to reports of an active fire located at Saxony Manor Apartments, 1870 22nd Avenue. Fire personnel arrived to find the entire building filled with toxic smoke and the west side of the building consumed with flames.
Kenosha Police, including Officer Javier Vega (38), a 5.5 year veteran of the department, arrived shortly before the fire department. Police evacuated several individuals, but two people trapped in upper units had to be rescued by the fire department using ladder trucks. Within a half hour, the fire was under control and residents were warning up on a city bus.
Two adults were found deceased. One adult appeared to have died from a medical event unrelated to the fire and the other as a result of the fire. A third adult later died at the hospital, due to injuries sustained in the fire.
Officer Javier Vega was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation, he was later released.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson)
“Had it not been for the rapid response and evacuation efforts by the Kenosha Police Department there would likely have been more injury or death. Two people remain unaccounted for; however, we do not believe they are in the structure. Kenosha Fire is working with building management to locate these people. This fire remains an open and active investigation, led by Kenosha Fire Department. The loss of life due to fire is something that something that deeply effects the City of Kenosha and our residents. Our Fire prevention Bureau routinely conducts inspections and will continue to strive to make every building in Kenosha as safe as possible,” said a Kenosha Fire Chief Chris Bigley.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson)
