Smoking materials blamed for Fond du Lac apartment fire

The City of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Department says improperly discarded smoking materials was to blame for an apartment fire Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

At about 7:20 p.m., the department, along with the Fond du Lac Police Department, were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 143 west Division Street.

Upon arrival. firefighters found smoke coming from one of an 8 unit, two story, apartment complex.

Firefighters initiated an interior search of the apartment which was found to be clear of any occupants. During the search they found light smoke in a second-floor apartment and a small, smoldering fire in the kitchen. The fire was extinguished within five minutes, though fire crews remained on scene clearing smoke and checking for hot spots.

Residents of the nearby apartments were evacuated during the incident by fire crews and police officers. After crews completed ventilation and verified safe air quality using air monitoring equipment, all residents were allowed to return to their homes.

The fire was investigated by Fond du Lac Fire Rescue Investigators and was determined to be caused by the improperly disposed of smoking materials. Though the apartment sustained light smoke and fire damage, the resident was able to return to the unit.

Fond du Lac Fire Rescue reminds residents to be careful with smoking materials and always dispose of them in a proper receptacle.