MOSINEE (WAOW) -
Call it luck, good fortune, or something else. Because of
the actions of one man, A Mosinee family is safe this Thanksgiving.
Volunteer firefighter Lt. Scott Klinger was out enjoying a
Thanksgiving walk when he noticed something strange.
"We just happened to be passing by, maybe about 4 blocks
away, saw smoke in the air. Thought it was just someone burning a leaf pile or
something," said Lt. Klinger, Mosinee Fire Department.
But instincts told him he should get a closer look.
"I went around to the back side and could see that there was
a fully engulfed garage about 6 feet from the home, and so we started
evacuating neighbors to make sure everybody was safe," said Lt. Klinger
When the fire broke out, family members were gathered in the
living room celebrating Thanksgiving.
"The homeowner wasn't even aware the garage was on fire," said
Klinger.
Firefighters say although the garage and vehicle inside were
destroyed, things could have been much worse.
"We were able to save the structure. There was damage to the
back side of the home, but as far as their contents, everything is salvageable
there," said Lt. Klinger.
As for Lt. Klinger…
"He did the right thing, and no one got hurt. A family was
saved. Structures were saved, and it was a great thing," said Lt. Chris Sparby,
Mosinee Fire Department.
Lt. Klinger says he was just doing his job.
"Right place, right time. Just thankful we could keep
everyone safe. Nobody got hurt. Residents are all fine. Our firefighters and
EMTs are all safe," said Lt. Klinger.
Another off-duty firefighter also quickly arrived on the
scene to help evacuate the family.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Newsline 9 tried to get in touch with the homeowners, but
they were not available for comment.
