Sheboygan Falls fire forces several home evacuations

SHEBOYGAN FALLS (WITI) -- The Sheboygan Falls Fire Department was on their way to a routine house fire call when the caller mentioned there were hunting related combustibles in the basement.

Officials say that house was at risk of exploding on Thursday, May 23rd.

"There wasn't any flames, couldn't see any flames but there was a lot of smoke," said neighbor Jamie Wyman. "Smoke coming out of the vents, the gutters, everything."

Neighbors say the home owners kept hunting weapons and ammunition in their basement. That little fact caused over a dozen homes to be evacuated.

"Nothing illegal or of that sort but when any type of situation like that when we believe there might be some combustible or material that's more flammable or more dangerous, we evacuated homes," said Steven Riffel, Sheboygan Falls Director of Public Safety.

Although an explosion never happened and neighbor's homes were okay, Riffel says "there is a great deal of damage to the home and the contents."

Officials say there was one adult male home at the time the fire started. His parents, the home owners, were away at the time. Wyman knows the man's mother and says this tragedy follows other issues the family is facing.

"She's been through a lot lately and it just, it couldn't have, I wish it wouldn't have happened to a nicer person. She's just very wonderful and kind and caring and giving and it's just really sad," said Wyman.

No one was injured in the fire and officials say it was under control within about two hours. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.