UPDATE: Father Died Trying To Save Children; Deputies Also Tried

WAUKESHA, WI -- Fire officials in Waukesha County say that three people are dead following an early-morning house fire on Arcadian Ave. in the Town of Waukesha.

According to a WTMJ report Wednesday morning, a neighbor told the station that a father died while trying to save two children. “The roommate came down with one of the kids and he told the kid to stay here and he ran back up to get the other two kids and he never came back out,” said the unidentified neighbor to WTMJ.

When deputies arrived, officials said they valiantly tried saving the lives of those who were trapped inside. According to reports, deputies tried reaching the victims inside, but could not get through the flames. One deputy had to be treated for first-degree burns. As a result, that deputy was later treated and released from the hospital for first-degree burns. A first-degree burn is described as a burn that affects the top layer of a person's skin. While superficial, medical professionals say these types of burns can be large in size, very painful and require medical attention.

Fire officials said an 80-year-old woman was evacuated from the house and was transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital. A 9-year-old boy was also evacuated from the residence and transported to Children's Hospital.

"The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is saddened to inform the community that three deceased victims were recovered from the residential structure fire in the Town of Waukesha," Town of Waukesha Fire Department officials said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "The victims are believed to be one adult and two adolescents, although at this time the identities of the victims are not confirmed. It is not expected that more victims will be discovered as this investigation continues."

Town of Waukesha firefighters responded to the fire on Arcadian Ave. just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

According to the Town of Waukesha Fire Department, the fire was reported to authorities by a neighbor who called 911.

The fire caused substantial property damage to the residence, officials said. Authorities are investigating the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

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