PRESS RELEASE
Date: July 23, 2021
Case: 21-25098
Authority: Sgt Brandon Hood
On July 23, 2021 at approximately 8:18 pm, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an explosion and house fire at a single family residence in the 3100 block of Norman Dr in the Town of Barton. The incident was reported by a nearby neighbor.
There were two occupants at the residence at the time of the explosion. Both occupants received severe burns. They were taken by ambulance to a local hospital where they were then med flighted to a regional burn unit.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported to the scene along with West Bend Fire Department. The call was quickly upgraded to a MABAS call. The fire department was assisted by Lifestar Ambulance, WE Energies, Jackson, Allenton, Kewaskum, Newburg, Slinger, Germantown, Boltonville, Kohlsville, Fillmore, St Lawrence, Hartford, Grafton, and Richfield Fire Departments. State Patrol assisted the Sheriff’s Office with traffic control. Traffic to the area was shut down for nearly four hours. Neighboring residences were temporarily evacuated.
The residence sustained severed damage due to the fire, smoke and water. The house and contents appear to be a total loss. Preliminary damage estimates were believed to exceed $300,000. Minor damage occurred to a neighboring home.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the West Bend Fire Department.