Whitewater family escapes home fire

By GAZETTE STAFF Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

WHITEWATER — A town of Whitewater family escaped their home after their van started on fire in the their garage Tuesday afternoon.

The Whitewater Fire Department responded at 2:13 p.m. to the home of Al and Joan Danz, W7677 Stacey Lane. The Lauderdale/LaGrange, Palmyra and Elkhorn fire departments assisted.

About 90 minutes after arriving home Tuesday, Al Danz heard a popping sound coming from the garage. When he opened the door to the two-car attached garage, he found the Ford Windstar van in flames, said Bob Gabbey, assistance chief for the Whitewater Fire Department.

After calling 911, Danz got his wife, son and himself safely out of the house, Gabbey said.

The fire spread to the main part of the house, causing extensive damage to the garage and attic and other damage to the home’s living quarters. The van was destroyed, Gabbey said.

Nearly three dozen firefighters responded to the fire that took about 20 minutes to extinguish, according to fire officials.

The family’s insurance agent found them a place to stay, Gabbey said.

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