Firefighters battle blaze, cold temps at home on Milwaukee's north side

MILWAUKEE - Firefighters battled a house fire and bitterly cold temperatures on Milwaukee's north side on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The call came in shortly before 9 a.m. 

The two-alarm fire broke out near 24th Place and Finn. Upon arrival, fire officials said the dwelling was fully engulfed in flames. 

The deputy fire chief said the biggest problems they faced on the scene were hypothermia and dehydration.

"With the snow making the streets narrower, it makes it harder for our big rigs to get through which makes it cumbersome for us to do what we need to do," said Deputy Chief Smoots.

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Additionally, firefighters said it was hard to get water as hydrants weren't working properly and the temperatures would freeze the water quickly. Even though firefighters were fighting flames -- crews had to rotate to stay warm. 

"One of the biggest problems that you have with us fighting fire is hypothermia," said Smoots. "It's because we are packaged up, and you’re working extra hard, and then you heat yourself up from the inside and the other thing is dehydration."

No one was home when the fire broke out. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

In the meantime, first responders said this is a good reminder to make sure your smoke detectors are working, and amid the cold weather, heat your residence safely. For example, if you use a space heather, don't plug it into an extension cord or power strip and keep it away from blankets to avoid a fire.