Residents of Porchlight stood by and watched as smoke dissipated from a fire at the local Madison homeless assistance shelter Sunday afternoon, causing approximately $20,000 in damages according to a Madison Fire Department news release.
The MFD was contacted at approximately 2:26 p.m. after the call was received by Madison’s 911 dispatch service, according to Assistant Chief of Operations Lance Langer. MFD arrived immediately to the scene at 306 N. Brooks St.
The MFD sent three paramedics and four fire engines, two with ladders, to reach the source of the fire on the fourth floor, according to Langer. Residents evacuated the area immediately into the lobby of the Porchlight building and across North Broom Street in Grainger Hall to stay warm.
The fire was extinguished within minutes of MFD’s arrival, according to MFD spokesperson Lori Wirth. Wirth said the door to the unit that caught fire was closed, which prevented the flames from reaching any other units.
The damage to the building was estimated at $15,000 for property damage and $5,000 for contents, according to the news release. The majority of damage was confined to the single unit with water damage in nearby units, according to Langer.
“There is some minor damage to the units below, but I don’t think those residents are going to be displaced for the night,” Wirth said.
Only one resident needed to be seen by paramedics Sunday. Wirth said the resident was treated and released at the scene without sustaining injuries.
MFD is still investigating the cause of the fire.
