Fire On Hollywood Avenue Left About $80K In Damages: Fire Dept.

WHITEFISH BAY, WI — Firefighters evacuated a dog from a house fire that appeared to have started in the home's kitchen on 5000 Hollywood Avenue in Whitefish Bay around 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to a news release from North Shore Fire/Rescue.

The homeowner, who was not home when the fire started, returned home to find flames and smoke coming from the rear of the house. The fire appeared to have started in the kitchen, although the stove was not in use at the time, the news release said.

Police arrived almost simultaneously after a 911 call came in reporting the fire, the news release said. Police informed dispatch that the lone occupant was outside of the house, but a dog remained inside.

When firefighters arrived they started to extinguish the remaining fire after they saw smoke showing from the rear of the house. The dog was found seemingly unharmed and returned to the owner. Firefighters also worked to overhaul the structure of the home and to eliminate any possible spread or hotspots, according to the news release.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries during the fire because of the icy conditions on scene, the news release said.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation but it was not believed to be suspicious, the news release said. Damages to the home and its contents were estimated to be about $80,000.

The Milwaukee Fire Department, the Whitefish Bay Police Department and We Energies Gas and Electric crews assisted North Shore Fire/Rescue at the scene, the news release said.