Sheriff: 1 adult, 2 children killed in Waukesha house fire; 80-year-old, child escaped



House fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha courtesy: Jennifer Peterson



WAUKESHA -- Three people, an adult and two children, were killed in a fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha Tuesday morning, Feb. 19.

According to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, a neighbor called 911 just after 3 a.m. When first responders arrived, the home was engulfed in flames.

Officials were able to help an 80-year-old woman and 9-year-old boy get out of the burning home. They were taken to the hospital for observation.

"It was a big blaze. How anyone survived -- that's unbelievable," said Rick Rendon, neighbor.

Rendon's home was surrounded by first responders as he tried to leave for work.

"It's just running through your mind -- somebody is not going to make it out of that, and sure enough, it's sad," said Rendon.

A deputy trying to locate the three others still inside was injured himself. He suffered first degree burns and was treated and released from the hospital.

House fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha (Courtesy: Ryan N.)



House fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha



By the time crews put out the fire, there was nothing left of the home but a shell. Investigators recovered the three bodies Tuesday afternoon.

Sue Jimenez said she woke up to police banging on her door. She later watched as her neighbor's home was reduced to ash.

"A towering inferno. It was just unbelievable. It's so hard to describe. You're just praying for them," said Jimenez.

"Three of my neighbors are no longer here. It's sad," said Rendon.

The cause is under investigation.

House fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha (Courtesy: Ryan N.)



House fire near Arcadian Avenue and Sultan Street in Waukesha





Additional crews were called to the scene due to bitterly cold temperatures that caused the water to freeze.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.