PLEASANT PRAIRIE — The village Fire Department, along with multiple fire agencies, responded Sunday night to the Roger Prange Municipal Center, where a fire was reported to have started inside a public works vehicle parked inside a garage there.
Fire crews were called at 6 p.m. to the municipal center’s public works building, 8600 Green Bay Road, which houses snow plows and other vehicles. The fire reportedly began inside a newer dump truck used in snow plowing operations, according to authorities on scene. The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Sunday night.
Pleasant Prairie Fire units arrived at 6:08 p.m. Minutes earlier, a police officer in the area noted heavy black smoke coming from the building, according to Fire Chief Craig Roepke.
Also responding to the fire scene were crews from Zion, Winthrop Harbor, Beach Park and Newport, Ill., he said. Bristol and Salem Lakes fire crews assisted with a change of quarters to cover potential calls while village firefighters were out at the fire scene. The fire was under control at 6:18 p.m. and out at 6:24 p.m., Roepke said.
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“It appears that it was a vehicle fire that started in the engine compartment and at this time that’s all that we know,” Roepke said at the scene.
“Generally speaking, vehicle fires in the engine compartment spread rapidly. Typically, for a vehicle fire we don’t call all those units, but the fact that there was a vehicle fire inside a structure — that’s the indicator for additional units because if the vehicle sets the structure on fire, then we have building fire,” he said.
Roepke said the fire was contained to the vehicle itself and there was no damage to the structure or any other vehicle in the large building.
“The public works vehicle storage garage is a sprinklered building. And the sprinkler system did activate and kept the vehicle fire in check until arriving units were able to extinguish (the fire),” he said.
Damage estimates had not been determined as of Sunday. Roepke said the vehicle chassis is “likely a total loss.” However, other components may still be salvageable, he said. Public Works Director John Steinbrink Jr. also responded to the scene.
The Prange center campus also houses the village Police Department and 911 dispatch in a building just to the north of the public works structure, and that building was not affected by the fire.
IN PHOTOS: EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Taking time to reflect
Pleasant Prairie Fire Chief Craig Roepke, left, and Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana, right salute as Taps is played during EMCO Chemical Distributors 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday at the company headquarters, 8601 95th St. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day 20 years ago, and to honor the first responders who protect us daily. This year’s event featured a fly-over by a vintage P-51 Mustang and a A-1 Skyraider, music, and speeches by Paul Truess, regional director for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, State Rep. Samantha Kerkman, and EMCO President Edward Polen.
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EMCO President Edward Polen speaks during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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EMCO President Edward Polen speaks during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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EMCO President Edward Polen looks up at the American Flag as the National Anthem is played during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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Pleasant Prairie first responders listen to the National Anthem during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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A P-51 Mustang and an A-! Skyrider, perform a fly-over during EMCO Chemical Distributors 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of that day, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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EMCO President Edward Polen watches the a P-51 Mustang and an A-1 Skyraider, perform a fly-over during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.’s 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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A 9/11 Remembrance flag flies during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.’s 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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Kelly Ward listens as Taps is played during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.’s 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie.
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Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana salutes as Taps is played during EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.’s 19th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the company’s facility at 8601 95th Street, in Pleasant Prairie. Employees and invited guests took time to reflect on the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor the first responders that protect the community daily.
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