TOMAH, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – An explosion was the cause of a fire in downtown Tomah last Friday (2/23/24). This new information was confirmed by the Tomah Fire Chief. Shaina Nijhawan has more details from Tomah.
“Just due to the damage, the physical damage, we can tell there was some type of explosion that occurred.” Tomah native and Fire Chief Tim Adler says Friday’s explosion turned fire was unlike anything the city has seen before. “Been the fire chief for just over 10 years and the Tomah fire department 35 years and this is by far probably the biggest fire and the biggest incident we’ve had, especially having 11 fire departments here helping.”
Nearly 100 firefighters were dispatched and 16 residents were displaced.
(Resident Cesar Gonzalez Ramirez ) “And just a few months before this there was a set of fire at Peking.” The blaze is the 4th fire in downtown Tomah in 3 years. Gonzalez Ramirez says he’s ready for a change, “These buildings are pretty old, 1800 is usually 1895 over there. And yeah, I think it’s time for renovation if possible.”
The fire department is working with a third-party fire and explosion expert to determine the cause of Friday’s incident. Adler explains, “We’re performing interviews with people that were in the area or got some video throughout some of the businesses here to try to pinpoint some ideas on maybe what happened or what occurred.”
Meanwhile, the community is rallying together to help those who are now without a home. Adler says, “It’s a small-town vibe, right? Everybody’s reaching out, and it started the evening of the fire, people bringing food and water and things in for the firefighters and, and for the, the people that were displaced, and, it continues on today.”
In an update this week, the fire department confirmed two firefighters were injured while fighting Friday’s flames. One suffered a smashed thumb, another a broken toe. As crews continue to investigate the department asks anyone with pictures, videos, or information from Friday to contact the Tomah Fire Department.
Story Source: Fox 45/48 Local News Or CLICK HERE
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