Fires damage homes in the town of Anson, Howard

Last modified: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:36 PM CST

Fires damage homes in the town of Anson, Howard

By The Chippewa Herald

A fire reported at 6:10 a.m. Tuesday damaged a town of Anson home.The fire was reported from 10135 County K.

The Chippewa Valley chapter of the American Red Cross was called to help the family living in the house, Fire Chief Rick Schemenauer said.

Another fire was reported on Monday from a dairy farm in the at 4983 County B in the town of Howard. A house was heavily damaged in the fire.

Chippewa Fire Chief John Neihart said the west end of the building, covering a garage, was well involved in flames when firefighters were dispatched at about 4 p.m.

“We’re not sure whether the garage started as a result of the fire in the basement or the other way around,” Neihart said.

Neihart said firefighers were inside the first floor of the house for about 10 minutes when conditions turned unsafe. The fire burned through the floor soon after the firefighters left the building.

The owner and occupant of the home is listed as Jeffrey Bennesch. Neihart said Bennesch was not at home at the time of the fire.

A passing motorist first reported the fire to firefighters.

Both the Bloomer and Colfax fire departments provided mutual aid.

Neihart said the house was a total loss. There were no injuries from the fire.