Shortly after 5:00 in the evening on Sunday, April 4, 2021, Dane County Public Safety Communications (911) notified the Fitchburg Fire Department of a possible residential structure fire at Chalet Gardens apartments on Chalet Gardens Ct in Fitchburg. Multiple residents of the apartment complex reported seeing heavy smoke coming from the exterior of one of the apartments.
The first arriving fire personnel on Fitchburg Truck 1 and Engine 3 confirmed seeing flames and heavy smoke that appeared to be coming from a 2nd floor apartment. Crews were able to quickly enter the apartment of origin and put out the fire. Smoke, fire, and water damage were limited to the apartment of origin on the 2nd floor and the apartment immediately below it. Both families have been displaced by the fire but were able to make arrangements for a safe place to stay. Property Management was notified of the damage and they are working on boarding up the two units to protect the property.
All occupants were able to evacuate prior to emergency crews arriving, with the exception of one cat who was found under a desk in one of the units; it was scared, but unharmed. No injuries were reported at the fire.
This property does have a local alarm system, which operated as designed and helped notify residents of the fire, but it is not outfitted with an automatic sprinkler system.
Automatic aid was received from the Fitchburg Police Department, FitchRona EMS, Madison Fire Department, and the Verona Fire Department.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Fitchburg Fire Investigators.
For additional information, please contact Fire Chief Joe Pulvermacher: 608-327-9449.