On Saturday, May 16, at 7:40 a.m., Pleasant Prairie Police and Fire Departments responded to the Prairie Villa Senior Apartments, 9500 81St Street in Pleasant Prairie for a report of a fire alarm activation.
Initial responding units reported smoke on the Northside from a second-story apartment room and in the second-floor hallway. Calls were received from both the fire alarm central station and neighbors of the building to the North.
The building’s sprinkler system activated inside the second-floor apartment room and kept the fire from spreading. Pleasant Prairie Firefighters entered the room by way of the balcony using a ground ladder. The occupant had made their way to the balcony, where firefighters used an aerial platform ladder to rescue them from the apartment’s balcony. The victim was taken to a local hospital where they were later released and reunited with family. The remaining fire was extinguished shortly after that, at about 8:11 a.m. Crews remained on scene until 12:02 p.m. removing smoke, ventilating rooms, and ensuring that the sprinkler system was restored. The Village Building Inspection superintendent also was on scene to review building conditions.
Portions of the fire floor and below were not habitable due to water damage. Residents that occupied other areas were allowed to re-occupy the building. Building management was working with residents that had no local lodging alternatives, while restoration efforts ramped up.
Pleasant Prairie Police and Fire Department members who are also members of the Kenosha County Fire Investigation Task Force investigated the scene. The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
Departments from Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Newport, and Beach Park, Illinois assisted Pleasant Prairie Fire Department at the scene. Additionally, departments from Bristol, Salem Lakes, and Somers provided additional resources. Kenosha Transit system provided two buses to aide in immediate shelter needs for evacuated residents. The Racine Fire Bells responded to provide emergency service support.