NECEDAH, Wis. — Tragedy struck a small Wisconsin town early Sunday when six members of a single family perished in a devastating house fire in Necedah, according to local authorities. Officials received a distress call around 2:35 a.m. about the blaze at the residence on W5040 Morro’s Mile Road, where it was initially reported that two or three people might still be trapped inside.
Upon arrival, Juneau County deputies found the home fully engulfed in flames. Several individuals were near the driveway, whom deputies quickly moved to a safe distance. After speaking with those on the scene, it was confirmed that three adults and three children were unaccounted for and believed to be inside the house at the time of the fire.
Firefighting teams battled the inferno for three hours, with emergency services personnel remaining on the scene for over half a day. The names of the deceased, all related, have not been released pending notification of next of kin. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod later identified one of the victims as a pastor who had served as a missionary in Thailand, reflecting the global ties and local impact of the tragedy.
St. Mark Ministries in De Pere, which had connections to the victims, shared their grief in a social media post. “The pain of losing six members of one family cannot be described with words,” they expressed, holding onto hope through spiritual beliefs during this difficult time. The community church has been proactive in providing emotional and practical support, setting up funds and organizing resources for those affected.
Investigators are working under the assumption that the fire was accidental, but the cause is still under investigation. The response included multiple local fire departments and emergency services, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice-State Fire Marshal’s office has been called in to assist.
The home, which had been sold last summer for over $387,000 to an out-of-state buyer from Lake Zurich, Illinois, is described in property records as a log cabin-style residence used occasionally as a vacation rental. It features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and spans 2,500 square feet, situated on 3.57 acres.
Neighbors, including Ken Zielinski, recalled the vibrancy of the household just hours before the tragedy, with sounds of children playing in the pool. “It’s very unfortunate,” Zielinski said, lamenting the sudden loss amidst a once joyful backdrop.
This incident has sent ripples through the community, drawing responses and support from far and wide as the small town of Necedah comes to terms with the heartbreak and loss of an entire family. As investigations continue, the community holds tight to memories and the hope for understanding and healing in the wake of this catastrophic event.