January 29, 2021 – Beaver Dam, WI – On Friday, January 29, 2021, at about 9:47 a.m., the Beaver Dam Fire Department was notified by Dodge County Central Communications of a fire alarm initiated by a pull-station at the Metalcraft of Mayville facility at 2020 N. Spring Street in the City of Beaver Dam. While en route to the call, dispatch advised there was smoke in the building and there was evacuation in-progress.
Fire units arrived to find heavy smoke in the production area, and the building evacuated.
Firefighters located a fire in a metal dust collection unit in the factory. This stubborn fire was eventually extinguished with the use of many ABC fire extinguishers. Water is only used as a last resort on these types of fires because it causes considerable additional damage to machinery. The Department’s rescue hovercraft was used to help ventilate the smoke from the large structure. No injuries were reported. The fire caused a temporary suspension in production and most employees were released for the day.
Beaver Dam Firefighters were assisted by Hammes Fire & Safety who provided additional dry chemical fire extinguishers. Hustisford Fire and Watertown E.M.S. covered the City while others were on scene. Hustisford Fire responded to a second fire at Kirsh Foundry while standing-by for us.
Beaver Dam fire units remained on the scene until 11:38 a.m. and responded from this scene to the second fire at Kirsh Foundry.
Subsequently on Friday at about 11:38 a.m., the Beaver Dam Fire Department was notified
by Dodge County Central Communications of a fire in the north side of the Kirsh Foundry facility at 125 Rowell Street in the City of Beaver Dam. The manager reported active fire and not to use hoses due to molten metal being involved.
Fire units arrived to find dark smoke coming from the north side of the building in the furnace area, and the building evacuated. Management staff of Kirsh met arriving Firefighters and discovered a furnace had failed spilling a large quantity of molten metal. This in-turn caused combustible materials in the area to ignite. On the recommendation of Kirsh staff, Firefighters applied small amounts of water via a hoseline. This helped cool the area without causing the molten metal to explode. No injuries were reported.
Beaver Dam Firefighters were assisted by Hustisford Fire Department who was staffing our City while we were fighting a fire at the Metalcraft of Mayville facility. Most Beaver Dam units responded from Metalcraft and Hustisford responded from our station. This is a shining example why we have our neighbors help protect our City while we are committed elsewhere.
We do the same for them when asked.
Beaver Dam fire units remained on the scene until 2:00 p.m.
