KENOSHA, Wis. — Thick black smoke billowed into the sky Friday afternoon as the Kenosha Fire Department intentionally set fire to a vacant city-owned home on 57th Street during a large-scale live burn training exercise designed to prepare firefighters for real-world emergencies.

The training operation took place at 2214 57th Street, where firefighters spent the day conducting interior fire attacks, mock rescue scenarios, ventilation exercises, and coordinated suppression drills before ultimately allowing the structure to be consumed in a final burn-down.

The property, owned by the City of Kenosha as part of a redevelopment effort, was selected to give crews hands-on experience in realistic fire conditions that cannot be fully replicated in a classroom or training tower.

Equipment staging began around 7 a.m., with live fire exercises starting later in the morning. Throughout the day, crews rotated through multiple interior burns while training officers supervised operations and emphasized firefighter safety procedures.

Before the final burn, firefighters climbed onto the roof and cut ventilation openings — a tactic commonly used during active structure fires to release heat and smoke and improve interior conditions for crews searching for victims or attacking flames inside the building.

The final burn began in the basement around 2 p.m. and rapidly spread upward through the structure. Within roughly 45 minutes, much of the upper floor and rear portion of the home had collapsed or been heavily destroyed as firefighters monitored the blaze from outside while still conducting controlled operations.

Many neighbors and area residents gathered outside the police tape throughout the day to watch the rare training exercise. Sidewalks and nearby corners became crowded as spectators stopped to observe firefighters working through the realistic scenarios and later watched the dramatic final burn consume the structure.

Residents throughout the area could see heavy smoke drifting across the neighborhood during the afternoon. Fire officials had warned beforehand that large amounts of smoke would be visible and reminded the public that the fire was planned and controlled.

Road closures and restricted access remained in effect for much of the day near 57th Street and 23rd Avenue while crews operated hoses, engines, ladder trucks, and other specialized equipment in the area. Nearby residents had also been advised to move vehicles due to limited street access.

According to the Kenosha Fire Department, the training was conducted under NFPA 1403 standards, the nationally recognized safety guidelines governing live fire training exercises. Officials said the building had been inspected, properly prepared, and approved for the exercise before ignition.

Fire officials say exercises like Friday’s burn are among the most valuable training opportunities firefighters can receive because they allow crews to experience real heat, smoke conditions, visibility challenges, and coordinated fireground operations in a controlled environment before facing those dangers during actual emergencies.