Crews fight fire at Black River Falls apartment, wood shed

American Red Cross help displaced residents

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) — The American Red Cross is helping people displaced by a Saturday night apartment fire in Black River Falls.

Black River Falls Fire Chief Steve Schreiber said crews were battling a wood shed fire at W10385 Paquette Road in the Township of Manchester at about 9:30 p.m. when they were called to an apartment fire at 125 Rye Bluff Road in the City of Black River Falls.

When crews arrived at the first fire, they found an 18′ x 24′ structure fully engulfed in flames. It contained a wood stove-boiler that was used to heat the Pine Hill Church of Christ and a home on the property.

No one was injured in that fire and the cause is under investigation. The Department was helped by the Hixton and Merrilan Fire Departments.

While at the scene, the Black River Falls Fire Dept. was called to a fire at the Country View Apartment building. Chief Schreiber said the smoke alarm activated and all 24 units of the apartment had been evacuated. The fire was found in a first floor apartment and was contained to the single apartment.

No one was injured in the fire. Chief Schreiber said the cause of the fire appears to be a cooking-kitchen fire. There is water damage to the first floor area and smoke damage throughout the building. The structure was insured.

No one was able to stay in the building after the fire. The American Red Cross is helping people displaced by the fire.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Black River Utilities and the Merrillan Fire Department all helped at the scene.

On March 20, the Black River Falls Fire Department said the fire damage-loss estimate to the building and its contents is $150,000.