08/18/2026
Media Release - 8/17/26 Structure Fire
At 6:53pm on 8/17/26, Oakfield Fire was paged for a possible structure fire in the Village of Oakfield at 202 W. Church Street. Upon arrival of Oakfield Fire Chief 650, smoke was seen coming from the eaves and peak of the roof, as well as an exterior rear entrance off the south side of the residence. Entrance had visible heat signatures and melting of the door, with possible fire beyond that point. Per neighbor who was on scene, no one was home at the time of the fire. Through automatic mutual aid agreements, neighboring fire departments were also paged with Oakfield to the scene. Oakfield's first arriving engine company made entrance through the rear entrance and found heat and smoldering material, but no active fire in the kitchen area. Crews were able to knockdown burned and smoldering materials within the kitchen, then started to perform a primary search of the first floor. An additional arriving engine company made entrance at the front door and proceeded to the second floor to search for fire extension. Truck company gained access to the roof, opening gable vents and performing vertical ventilation to attic. Fire was determined to be out 30 minutes into the incident, with no flame spread beyond the kitchen.
Crews remained on scene performing primary and secondary searches of the residence for fire extension, along with overhaul operations. Additional ventilation was performed by opening exterior windows. Fire operations were terminated at 90 minutes into the incident.
Cause of the fire has been determined to have started on the kitchen stove, as initial crews entering found burners left on on an electric stove with burned materials around the area. Flame damage was confined to the stove area and surrounding cabinets, with extensive heat and smoke damage throughout the entirety of the residence.
Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department & EMS would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance on the scene:
Lamartine Volunteer Fire Department
Brownsville Fire Company
Waupun Fire Department
RIT District 4 (Mt. Calvary Fire Department, Town of Calumet Fire Department, St. St Cloud Fire and Rescue, Eden Fire Department)
Village of Oakfield Police Department
Alliant Energy
Oakfield Ladies Fire Auxiliary (refreshments)
Respectfully submitted
Chief Kevin Baker, Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department & EMS
