Rapids House Destroyed in Fire

Cat Found in House After Fire

A Wisconsin Rapids home is still standing, but investigators say it's a total loss.

Crews were paged to the 1000 block of 14th Street S. just before 5 am Tuesday and stayed on scene until 7am.

At 4:30 am Tuesday morning, tenant Joshua Reeve awoke to a house full of smoke. Luckily, he was able to get his wife and two children out safely after the smoke detectors failed to go off.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire, but think a wood burning stove may be the culprit. Captain Bob Barteck of the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department says that they believe the fire started on or near the roof.

A large portion of the fire was located between the home's original wood roof and the metal roof the family built over it- a sign suggesting the stove may be the culprit.

The family says they don't believe it was the wood stove was the cause because they recently had had the stove inspected and received all the necessary permits.