Two-alarm fire destroys two historic buildings in downtown East Troy



EAST TROY (WITI) -- Six people are displaced following a two-alarm building fire in downtown East Troy Friday morning, April 26th.

According to officials, the fire broke out just before 2 a.m. in a building that contained an antique shop and a home health care office on the first floor and four apartment units on the second.

Officials say a barber shop next the building also sustained damage after the fire spread.

"I could smell the smoke.  My neighbor knocked on the door and told me to get out because there was a fire," said 66-year-old Kay Riek.

She is one of six residents who lived in the apartments.  They were able to escape unharmed, but unfortunately, four pets (a cat, two snakes and a lizard) did not make it out alive.

"Everything is totaled. All my clothes are gone, all my stuff is gone. All I got is the stuff on my back," Reik said.

It took firefighters from four different departments about three hours to get the fire under control.  By mid-morning, both buildings were destroyed.  Crews worked to assess the damage.

"I know it was probably from the early 1900s, because the Fire Chief was telling me it's been rehabbed several times," said East Troy Police Chief Alan Boyes.

Boyes says it is unclear whether the building's condition had anything to do with the fire.  Fire officials spent the day searching for an origin.

Meanwhile, business owners look at what's left behind.

"It makes you just sick to your stomach," said Elizabeth Erman, owner of Synergy Home Care.

Although it's a big loss for both residents and the city, she and others are thankful no lives were lost.

"There's a monetary amount, but again, that can be replaced.  We'll get through this," said Erman.

No additional details have been released at this time and officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.



Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.