One person dead, another injured following house fire in Newton

MANITOWOC COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) - One person died following an explosion and fire in the town of Newton, according to a statement issued by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office. The deceased is an 80-year-old woman. A 56-year-old man was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained from the fire. Furthermore, a dog was rescued and taken to an area veterinarian for treatment.

Fire officials say they were called to the scene at about 5:15 a.m. on the 9400 block of Newton Road.

Marvin Brandl and his wife woke up to his childhood home burning to the ground.

“A large bang - and I got up and you know don’t know where it is and started looking all over the house and finally the fire got so large that it lit up everything around us here,” said Marvin Brandl.

The house was at least a century old, according to Brandl, and had belonged to his family since the 1920′s.

“Yes my mother and dad bought that place when they got married and started farming there,” stated Brandl.

Officials say the home caught fire and they called for backup from multiple departments. According to officials. the fire started after a reported explosion.

“It was the biggest fire I ever saw and I’ve seen a few barn fires,” said Brandl.

While some neighbors said that they awoke to the sound of first responders’ sirens or the brightness of the fire, neighbors across the street actually felt the explosion this morning although they said they were already awake.

Officials said the fire did not spread to other buildings, adding that the home is a total loss.

The state fire marshal has been called to the scene. The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.

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