Jan. 27, 2025
The Sparta Area Fire District is reporting two homes were severely damaged by fire late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. According to the Fire Department the first call came in just after midnight at 14344, State Highway 71, in the town of Wells. The caller stated that their garage is on fire and the garage is attached to the house. Upon arrival firefighters reported the rear of the garage was on fire, and the occupants were out of the home.
Crews quickly did an exterior and interior attack on the garage and the home had moderate smoke damage. The garage sustained heavy fire damage while the home had minor fire damage. Fire officials say the homeowners are staying with family. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time. Crews were on the scene of that for for about three hours.
Sparta Fire crews battle a house fire on Cardinal Road – Sparta Area Fire photo 
Sparta Fire crews battle a house fire on State Highway 71 – Sparta Area Fire photo 
Sparta Fire crews battle a house fire on Cardinal Road – Sparta Area Fire photo Sparta Fire crews battle a house fire on Cardinal Road – Sparta Area Fire photo Sparta Fire crews battle a house fire on Cardinal Road – Sparta Area Fire photo
Fire officials are also reporting that in the while station three personnel responding to that call one of their engines struck a deer on County Highway B and Echo Road and suffered minor damage.
The second fire call came in about 30 minutes later at 6785 Cardinal Road in the town of Little Falls. A neighbor reported they heard several explosions and the house was on fire. Sparta units remained at the Highway 71 fire and Station 3 (Cataract Units) was diverted to the Cardinal Road Fire. Immediate mutual aid was requested for tenders from Black River Falls, Melrose and Farmington Fire Departments.
The house and garage were fully engulfed when crews arrived. The homeowners were not home at the time. Several vehicles were also on fire as well as various pieces of equipment in the garage. Crews were on the scene for about four hours. The family also lost twp dogs and two cats in the fire. Other dogs that were outside in a kennel area were rescued.
The homeowners are staying with family, and the cause of this fire is also under investigation.
The Fire Department was assisted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Sparta Ambulance Service, Cataract 1st Responders, Xcel Energy, Black River Falls, Melrose, Farmington Fire Departments and Monroe County 911 Center.
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