Major Fire In Ripon

10:00 a.m. Fire caused major structural damage to a building in downtown Ripon with interconnected stores and upstairs apartments this morning. No one was injured and apartment dwellers were able to get safely out of the building in the 300 block of Watson Street. According to police the building housed a photo shop, sub shop, travel service, tavern, a Book World Store, fur and gift shop, the Ripon Drug and Ben Franklin Store and several unoccupied stores. Ripon Fire District Chief Tim Saul says it could have been a deadly fire, but people were awoken by their smoke detectors. He says other buildings sustained smoke and fire damage, but he wasn’t ready to comment on that yet. He says the extreme cold didn’t affect the water they were using to put out the blaze, but it did tax the City’s water supply. They got help from about 15 other fire departments and 60 to 75 firefighters. Twenty-two people were displaced by the fire; 13adults and 9 kids. The Red Cross is assisting the families.   

—

8:15 a.m. Fire officials in Ripon have a downtown fire under control, but will be on the scene putting out hot spots in the three buildings for most of the day. The buildings housed four stores and upstairs apartments. A number of people were displaced from those apartments. The Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce have issued an appeal for clothing for those residents. Here’s the press release with the specific needs. Click here. Photo courtesy Jason Mansmith of the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce.

—

6:55 a.m. Update:More details are emerging about a fire on Watson Street in downtown Ripon this morning. The fire involves three buildings that house businesses and one houses an upstairs apartment. Fire officials suspect the fire started in the basement of one of the buildings. No one has been injured. About 30 different agencies are involved in battling the blaze. Among some of the local fire departments asked for mutual aid are; Brandon, Rosendale, Fond du Lac, Town of Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Van Dyne, Princeton, Alto, Waupun, and Utica. Ripon Police are asking the public to use alternate routes. The Red Cross is at the scene helping families affected by the fire. The fire was reported at 310 ½ Watson Street.

—

There’s a major fire in downtown Ripon this morning. Fire departments from across the area have been asked to provide mutual aid. Some of the departments that got the call included Brandon, Rosendale, Fond du Lac, Town of Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Van Dyne, Princeton, Alto, Waupun, and Utica. Ripon Police are asking the public to use alternate routes. The fire began prior to 3 a.m. and was reported to be at 310 ½ Watson Street. No injuries have been reported.