Fire in Oconomowoc kills one, injures seven fire-fighters

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OCONOMOWOC - One person was killed and several fire-fighters were injured in a blaze that heavily damaged part of a block on Main Street in downtown Oconomowoc. It happened early yesterday afternoon, and the cause remains under investigation.

Public safety director David Beghun said a passer-by noticed flames shooting up the rear of a building that housed a real estate business and two upstairs’ apartments. At first, authorities said two people were missing and presumed dead in the living quarters – but the number was later reduced. The victim’s name was not immediately released. One Oconomowoc fire-fighter was taken to a local hospital, and was later transferred to a Milwaukee unit with smoke inhalation. The other injured fire-fighters were treated and later released. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel said four officers were hurt – but a spokeswoman at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital told the AP that eight fire-fighters were taken to her facility.

The fire started in the middle of a block of connected buildings, all more than a century old. One structure at the end of the block was put up in 1871. The flames fanned out in both directions, but officials said they were doing their best to keep the fire from spreading.

Tags: news, wisconsin, accident