Editor’s note: this story has been updated and remains ongoing. Updates will continue as more information becomes available.
By Kim McDarison
Firefighters from multiple agencies continue to subdue a fire at a commercial structure, 710 Oak Street, in Fort Atkinson. The fire, according to Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member Mabel Schumacher, is mostly affecting an area of the building which is not used by the kennel club.
Schumacher said the club has rented space in the building, owned by D.B. Oak and known locally as the Thomas Industries building, since about 2000. Space used by the club includes a meeting room, dog training room, and storage for some 25 years of kennel club records.
Schumacher, who arrived at the scene shortly after noon, said she hoped that the club’s records were still intact.
Schumacher said she learned about the fire after receiving a call from a friend who lives nearby.
Reporter Chris Spangler, who is also on the scene, said that assets from area agencies, including Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, Watertown, Jefferson, Milton, Janesville, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Deerfield, Cambridge and Eagle had arrived at the scene. As of 1:45 p.m., firefighters were still applying water to the building and some of the neighboring buildings to the north of the burning structure. Flames and smoke were still coming from the building’s north side, she said.
Also on scene, she said, are representatives from the Fort Atkinson Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Ryan Brothers Ambulance Service.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
Schumacher said no animals or club volunteers were present in the building. The club does not provide kennel space within the building.
Schumacher said she was last in the building on Saturday and she was aware that someone associated with the club was there on Sunday. She said nothing over the weekend seemed to be worrisome or out of place.
Spangler reported that a bulldozer and other equipment had arrived on the scene around 1:45 p.m. The equipment has been employed to dig a trench to help contain the fire, she said.
Around 2:30 p.m., Spangler said, equipment was employed to remove portions of the building’s roof.
“The Jefferson County Scanner Facebook page has reported that an “EMS Strike Team (defined as an emergency medical team used to provide assistance to emergency teams) from Dane County (5 ambulances)” and “Engine Strike team from Winnebago County, Ill.”, along with a Task Force from Rock County have been requested to the scene. Ambulances were requested, according to the scanner page, to help with personnel with heat exhaustion.
The Fort Atkinson Police Department has asked that travelers avoid the area around North Main and Oak streets.
The department is also reporting that, according to Fort Atkinson Fire Chief Daryl Rausch, five counties have been called to respond to the scene and residents on the north half of the city should expect low water pressure and discolored water while the situation progresses.
Information supplied by the Jefferson County Health Department through its Facebook page notes that those who have been asked to evacuate their homes can go the the gym at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, 101 N. Main St., entering through the Main Street entrance or the Hoard Historical Museum, 401 Whitewater Avenue.
Reported earlier today: Firefighters have responded to a fire at 710 Oak Street in Fort Atkinson. The building is used by the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson.
Kennel club member Mabel Schumacher told Fort Atkinson Online that the fire was burning on the north side of the building and emergency crews were on scene working to put it out.
Black smoke could be seen by residents living between Fort Atkinson and Whitewater according to some reports on social media.
Reporter Chris Spangler arrived at the scene around 12:30 p.m.
This story will be updated.
Chris Spangler photos.
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How would we know if we need to evacuate?
This information has been posted by the Jefferson County Health Department: FIRE EVACUATION NOTICE for FORT ATKINSON: There’s been a large structure fire in Fort Atkinson. **Anyone who has evacuated their home** due to the fire in the 700 block of Oak St. can come to the gym at the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, 101 N. Main St. Enter through the Main Street entrance. The Hoard Historical Museum is also open to the public. My understanding is that people who need to evacuate are learning through a knock on their door.