Waukesha fatal mobile home fire; Elder and Grandview, 1 pet rescued

WAUKESHA, Wis. - One person is dead after a mobile home fire in Waukesha on Friday morning, Jan. 24. It happened in the area of Elder Street and Grandview Boulevard around 3 a.m. 

What we know:

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they encountered heavy smoke throughout the home and flames visible from the rear of the building.

The structure was occupied at the time of the fire. During the search and rescue operations, fire crews located the occupant of the home. The occupant did not survive.

Waukesha mobile home fire near Elder and Grandview

One pet was rescued from the scene and turned over to the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha for care.

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Waukesha mobile home fire near Elder and Grandview

The fire occurred in freezing conditions, making incident operations more challenging for suppression personnel. 

Neighbor upset

What they're saying:

"All the sudden I saw flames shooting up to the treetop – the whole top of the trailer is on fire," said Laurie Hogeland, a neighbor. 

"The flames were so intense you could actually feel the heat from my distance," said Trey Larson, a neighbor who went home to check his smoke detectors.

Waukesha mobile home fire near Elder and Grandview

Seeking answers

What's next:

Preliminary damage estimates are not yet available, though the structure is likely a total loss, officials say. 

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The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Waukesha Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

Editor's note: The Waukesha Police Department on Feb. 5 identified the deceased as 79-year-old Leif Anderson.