Flames contained in Slinger building fire; smoke will remain for days

SLINGER, Wis. - Slinger Fire Department is updating the public on Monday, May 22 after a large fire at Oak Creek Wood Products. The fire was located along I-41 in the Town of Polk, south of Slinger, on Sunday evening, May 21.

Firefighters were called out around 7:30 p.m. 

Upon the first deputy’s arrival, a piece of equipment and a mulch pile were found to be actively on fire and spreading quickly in the rear of the business.

Due to the nature of the business and the amount of flammable material, the fire continued to spread rapidly on large mulch piles and stacked pallets before also entering the building itself, which is located closer to the interstate.

Hwy/I-41 southbound was shut down at Hwy-60 for approximately one hour while containment was still being established on the scene. Fire personnel were successful in preventing the spread into the entire building, stopping it in the back portion.

Neighbors living near the wood products company where the fire broke out watched as firefighters from around the area poured in to help battle the blaze.

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The good news was that the wind didn't appear to be too much of a factor on Sunday night. There is a conservancy surrounding the property serving as a barrier from the neighborhood, so the wind could have hampered efforts given all the trees.

One neighbor described mountains of mulch, "and then all of a sudden, flames started coming up."

Bryan Koutsky said he knew people fighting the fire. He told FOX6 they were challenged by no fire hydrants in the area, so they were possibly using a pond.

"We could see a reflection from windows at the back of the condos, and flames were just pouring out," said Koutsky.

Slinger Fire was assisted by upwards of forty other fire departments during the incident, and the Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Slinger and Jackson Police Departments and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The fire is contained in the building, and the pallets of wood are taken care of, the main issue is the mulch, said Brad Schaefer, assistant chief of the Slinger Fire Department. The plan is for crews to water down the mulch and move it to a safer location.

It is expected that air and water quality were not affected by this fire because most of the items that burned were combustibles. The first building has been determined to be a total loss, but the second building was saved by the fire departments, so some equipment has been preserved.

Schaefer said the goal for the fire is not to extinguish it but to contain it. Locals will continue to see smoke for days and even weeks after the fire department is done. Fire officials will continue to work with the building to move forward.