Police and fire officials are investigating a fatal fire early Tuesday at an apartment building on Willowdale Court.
Firefighters found one person dead. Another resident was rescued from the second story. The victim has yet to be identified.
Fire Chief Chris Crail said the fire was under control quickly after being called shortly after midnight.
“The crews that went interior did an amazing job,” he said. “Within the first 15 minutes of getting on the scene, they got water on the fire.”
The cause is still under investigation. The state fire marshal’s office is assisting at the Portage Fire Department’s request.
“Our thoughts are with the families affected during this difficult time,” the Portage Fire Department posted on social media. The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.
Crail couldn’t remember the last time the department had dealt with a fatal fire.
“The severity of our calls has been pretty consistent and escalating. It does take a toll on our guys,” Crail said. The battalion chief working Monday night reached out to each firefighter working that fire to make sure they’re all good, Crail said.
The department offers peer support in-house. If a firefighter needs help outside that scope, the department can put them in touch with professionals who can help.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
