Combustibles put unintentionally too close to a portable space heater that was left on appears to be the cause of a residential house fire early this morning on Manitowoc’s southwest side.
Fire Chief Todd Blaser says MFRD received transmission of an alarm around 4:15 a.m. in the 3300 block of Mero Street.
The initial report came from a neighbor who reported flames shooting from a window advising everyone to get out of the house with her husband alerting occupants to exit the other unit of the duplex. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered heavy smoke and flames.
The fire, which began in a bedroom, was brought under control within fifteen minutes followed by salvage and overhaul operations. One occupant was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment for burns as a result of trying to put out the fire by themselves. No other injuries were reported.
A dollar damage estimate is not available at this time and the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Agencies assisting on the scene included Manitowoc Police-Manitowoc Public Utilities and Wisconsin Public Service.
