Three structure fires reported in Fond du Lac County Wednesday

Multiple structure fires were reported in the area Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Around 2:30 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a loud explosion at N3879 Center Road north of Waupun. Callers reported the explosion may have originated from a wood burner located on the property.

Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Waupun Fire Department, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, a 12 by 30 foot shed containing the wood burner was found to be fully engulfed in flames. Due to the severity of the fire and the threat it posed to an attached barn, numerous other departments were paged to assist in fighting the fire.

The barn near the shed sustained exterior damage after briefly catching fire, and the initial shed was destroyed.

Although the residence itself didn’t sustain direct fire damage, it was impacted due to the wood burner being the sole source of heat for the home. Because of this, the American Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance for the displaced family.

At around 5:30 p.m. a house was reported to be on fire on Charles Street, northwest of the City of Ripon. Upon arrival, authorities found fire and black smoke coming from the front of the residence. The Rosendale and Brandon Fairwater fire departments were called to assist at that fire.

Then around 11:30 p.m., the Waupun Fire Department was again called out, this time to a house filling with smoke on north Watertown Street in the City of Waupun. After about 20 minutes of searching for the source of the smoke, crews found a fire in the attic.

Access to the attic was very limited through the home so a ventilation hole was cut in the peak to access the fire and begin suppression. Once the initial knockdown was confirmed, crews resumed working on accessing the attic to complete suppression operations. Personnel were on scene for approximately three hours conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations.

A call was placed for assistance from surrounding departments to help in fighting the fire.