A residential structure fire was contained and extinguished at a northwest Waukesha home Tuesday morning, but not before it required two individuals medical attention at a burn center.
Damage of the home is estimated at $75,000.
According to a news release from Capt. Ron Oremus, the City of Waukesha Dispatch Center received a call just before 11:30 a.m. about black smoke pouring out of a residence at 2301 Summit Ave.
Oremus said a husband and wife managed to self evacuate from the residence, but needed medical attention due to the "seriousness of the injuries."
Two Flight for Life helicopters were requested but only the woman, 66, was transported by helicopter to the St. Mary's Burn Center. Her husband, 65, was transported first to Waukesha Memorial Hospital by ambulance and then later transferred to the St. Mary's Burn Center.
A landing zone was established at the neighboring football field at Waukesha North High School.
Their identities are not being released at this time and no further information on the patients' status is known at this time, Battalion Chief Joe Hoffman said.
A neighbor called 911 when they noticed smoke coming from the two-story home.
An ambulance from the Wales/Genesee Fire Department passed the house as it was returning to its station from Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Crews then began assisting the man and woman, who were on the porch of their house.
The Waukesha Fire Department arrived on the scene a couple minutes later where they saw an active fire and "significant burns" to the man and woman's bodies as well as experiencing respiratory difficulties from smoke inhalations, Hoffman said.
He said crews from Station 5, 4 and 1 quickly brought the fire under control while providing care.
Hoffman said the fire damage was limited to the front living room and some smoke damage to the "balance of the structure."
Oremus said it's very early in the investigation and the cause of the fire is unknown.
The value of the property, pre-fire, was more than $205,000.
The Humane Animal Welfare Society was called to the scene to care for one cat that died in the fire and to treat six cats and two dogs that also lived in the home.