(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two people are dead after a house fire early Thursday morning in the 2600 block of 116th Street in Pleasant Prairie.
Police were reportedly the first to arrive at the home, where they found heavy flames coming from the rear of the house. Officers indicated the fire was too intense for them to safely enter the residence without proper equipment.
Fire crews were dispatched shortly before 1 a.m. to what was first reported as a fire at 2615 116th St. The address was later corrected to 2618 116th St. Dispatchers advised responding crews that police were on scene and believed at least one person may still have been inside the home.
When firefighters from the Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence. Crews reported the fire appeared to be concentrated on the Charlie side of the building and launched an offensive attack. Fire command later advised that three victims were believed to be inside the home and ordered incoming crews to prepare for search operations. Mutual aid was requested from the Kenosha Fire Department, which sent an engine, truck and chief officer to the scene.
Authorities later confirmed that two people died in the fire. The victims have been identified in media reports as a 73-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, who may have been father and daughter. A third person was reportedly able to escape. The names of the victims have not yet been officially released pending family notification.
Police radio traffic indicated that two victims were transported to separate hospitals, with one taken to Froedtert Hospital and another taken to Aurora Medical Center. Investigators were also heard trying to positively identify victims and family members connected to the home. Police traffic referenced Ashley Mahon, born in 1991, and Richard Ronald Mahon as being associated with the residence.
A fire investigative task force was called to the scene, and the medical examiner’s office later responded as well. Family members later arrived and were directed to the Pleasant Prairie Police Department to meet with investigators. Authorities remained at the home for hours after the fire was extinguished, and the house was later boarded up.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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One Response
What does “Charlie side” mean?