Milwaukee officials battle fire in bitter cold near 29th and Fond du Lac

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- Eight people are in temporary shelter after a fire heavily damaged their home on the city's north side.

Two people were taken to the hospital after a fire broke out at a home on Edler Wallace Drive and 29th Street Monday morning, Jan. 13. 

Along with battling the heat, firefighters also have to fight the extreme cold.

"We are dealing with ice; we are dealing with cold. If you look around at the men and women, you see a lot of freezing on our uniforms," said MFD Battalion Chief Christopher Brown.

That layer of frost adds yet another challenge to an already demanding task.

"To be perfectly honest, yes, it does affect us," said Brown.

The Milwaukee Fire Department said they received reports of people trapped inside the house, but everyone was able to escape on their own.

Two went to the hospital for smoke inhalation and are expected to be OK.

"When I came out and looked up, it was in flames, heavy smoke," said Eric Borders, neighbor.

Neighbor Eric Borders says the family has lived in that home for more than 20 years.

"To lose your home is a terrible thing," said Borders.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, he reminds Milwaukeeans a common household item is notorious for causing fires.

"Be careful using space heaters in the wintertime. I know a lot of people need them; these old houses sometimes don't heat up right, but you have to be careful," said Borders.

As water runs onto the sidewalks and streets, which are starting to freeze from the cold, MFD says they have protocols in place to keep residents safe.

"DPW [Department of Public Works] is set up and ready to bring out their salt trucks, and as we clear the scene, they sweep in right away and start to take care of the sidewalks," said Brown.