On Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1:46 p.m. the Gilman Rural Fire Department was dispatched to a house with smoke coming from the attic at the address of N4826 Mico Dr. in the Township of Cleveland, with all residents reported out of the building. Per Gilman policy Jump River Fire was requested for a full response. When the first responding fire officer arrived on scene, moderate smoke was coming from the attic area through the gable vents. An initial interior attack around the chimney chase and attic slowed the fire. Based on limited personnel, design of building, roof material type, and limited accessibility to the home, mutual aid of various equipment and personnel were requested from Cornell, Medford, Sheldon and Thorp Fire Departments.
After an extended external and limited internal suppression effort, Incident Command made the request for an excavator to remove a portion of the steel roof to safely and completely extinguish the fire. At 4:25 p.m. the fire was deemed under control and the additional fire departments were released. Gilman Fire was clear of the scene at 5:34 p.m. and back at the hall at 6:09 p.m., with an additional hour needed for clean-up.
The investigation concluded that the fire started in the area around the chimney and followed the chimney chase into the attic where extensive rafter damage occurred. The home sustained heavy water damage and the Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.
No injuries were reported at the scene.
The Gilman Rural Fire Department would like to thank Jump River Fire, Sheldon Fire, Cornell Area Fire, Thorp Area Fire, Medford Area Fire, Taylor County/Aspirus Ambulance Services, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Dispatch, Taylor County Emergency Management, Jump River Electric, Trawicki and Son, LLC Excavating, Gilman Public Works and the Gilman Corner Store.

Brian Welsh
Fire Chief
Gilman Rural Fire Department