TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A fire at a home in the 200 block of Hawthorn Drive caused an estimated $50,000 in property damage Tuesday, October 27, according to Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue. No one was home when the fire broke out, and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 12:05 p.m. after initial reports indicated smoke and flames were visible from the residence. Responding crews found smoke coming from the single-story home and located the fire in the back of its attached garage.
Crews contained and extinguished the fire, limiting damage to the affected area, according to the department. The occupants later received a Wagner Family Fire Fund Go Bag containing essential items to help them through the next several days.
Fire Chief Redlin credited the department’s combination of paid staffing and volunteers with helping limit the damage. Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue implemented a staffing model in January 2025 that places two full-time employees at the station around the clock, with an additional supervisor on duty Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Every second matters during a structure fire. Having personnel already in the station eliminates the delay associated with volunteers coming from home,” Redlin said. He also emphasized the importance of volunteers, noting that nine personnel responded from home during Tuesday’s incident.
Three personnel were assigned to the station when the call came in, and Redlin was also at the station and able to assist. The Town of Randall Fire Department, Town of Wheatland Fire Department and Richmond Fire Protection District in Illinois were also dispatched to the fire.
Spring Grove Fire Protection District handled a second medical call that came in shortly after the fire was dispatched. A Paris ambulance, Salem Lakes engine and the Spring Grove fire chief staffed the Twin Lakes station to maintain emergency coverage for Twin Lakes, Randall and Wheatland while crews worked at the scene.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The department said no additional information would be released at this time.
