A technique involving its new aerial truck helped the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department limit damage during an exterior fire at 19 North 3rd Avenue Tuesday evening. Fire Chief Tim Dietman says his department was paged out to a structure fire a minute after 9PM and 9 units and 25 firefighters responded. Chief Dietman says fire was seen on the exterior of the building to the roof at Fat Louie’s Olive Oil and Wine Shop and Root Bistro. The fire carried from the roof top to a nearby building. Fire crews methodically evacuated the buildings and apartments and their occupants. Chief Dietman says the fire crews used a technique called “re-setting” that involves an extended blast of water that can knock down the flames, buying time to set up for the firefighting operation. In this case, the blast was strong enough to put the fire out and contain the blaze to the exterior and roof areas. However, there was some smoke in the affected buildings. It’s believed that the fire may have started in a dumpster behind the restaurant. However, it’s unclear what ignited the blaze. Chief Dietman says Sturgeon Bay Utilities and WPS shut down electrical and gas service, but all but one apartment dweller returned to their homes. The utilities have since been restored. Fire crews cleared the scene at 11:02PM Tuesday.
