Janesville Fire Fighters Local 580

05/13/2026

Residential Fire - May 11th, 2026 - 4:35 pm

Janesville Fire responded to the 600 Block of Tudor & 4000 Block of Brunswick Ln. for a reported residential fire.

Upon arrival, first-in crews found fire on the exterior of a duplex that was extending into the attic. A Working Still alarm was requested, bring additional resources to the scene.

Crews pulled attacks lines to extinguish moderate fire conditions on both the exterior of the structure and attic of both duplex units. Additional arriving crews assisted in fire attack and performed searches of the structure. No victims were located and no injuries were reported.

JFD units on scene were B8, E812, E813, E814, E815, TW831, A841, A842, A845, B871, and Fire Inspector 881

Units also assisting on scene were Lakeside Fire, JPD, and Alliant Energy.

The fire remains under investigation.

05/11/2026

Residential Fire - Update on May 10th incident

An update regarding the two residential fires on the 400 Block of S. Locust St. yesterday.

The resident who located and removed by JFD search crews from the 2nd floor of the original fire building has succumbed to their injuries.

Investigation by JFD and DCI (Department of Criminal Investigation) showed the fire started on the exterior south wall of 402 S. Locust St. The fire then entered the structure, where it caused extensive damage to both floors.

The heavy fire also caused an exterior stairwell to collapse, which landed on the structure's natural gas meter. The meter broke and escaping natural gas fed the existing fire, which caused a blowtorch effect and extended the fire to the neighboring building. (406 Locust St.)

Apartment 100 and Apartment 200 in 402 S. Locust did NOT have working smoke alarms..

Due to extensive damage, the exact cause/source of the fire could not be determined by investigators.

Displaced residents are being assisted by the Red Cross

05/11/2026

Residential Fire - May 10th, 2026 - 1:39pm

Janesville Fire responded to the 400 Block of S. Locust St. for a reported residential fire. Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved two story structure, with heavy fire extending into a second nearby structure. Several hoselines were deployed for fire attack in both buildings, while additional arriving crews performed a search of both buildings.

During the search, crews located a victim on the 2nd floor of the original fire building and removed them from the structure. The victim was immediately transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Crews also removed two cats and a snake safely, however, two other cats remain unaccounted for.

Battalion 8 requested MABAS Box alarm to the first level during the incident, which brought crews from Lakeside Fire, Beloit Fire, Harlem Rosco Fire, Whitewater Fire, and Evansville Fire to the scene. JPD and Alliant Energy also assisted on scene.

Janesville Fire units on scene included: B8, E812, E813, E814, E815, T831, A841, A843, A844, A845, A846

Cause and orgin of the fire remains under investigation.

Photos:
JFD Photographer - Retired Lt. Dave Sheen

04/29/2026

Residential Fire - April 28th, 2026 - 6:20pm

JFD crews responded to the 800 Block of S. Fremont for a reported grease fire inside a residence. Upon arrival, E812 found heavy fire conditions and a Working Still Alarm was requested, bringing an additional unit from Lakeside Fire. E812 crew pulled an attack line to bring the fire under control, while additional arriving crews performed a search and pulled a second attack line. The fire was brought under control in less 10 minutes.

A resident suffered minor burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

JFD units on scene were E812, E813, E814, E815, T831, A841, A842, A843, and B8. 22 firefighters responded, along with Lakeside Fire, JPD, and Alliant Energy.

There was also a small residential garage fire on the 1400 Block of Manor Dr. last night and a fire at the commercial storage units on 0 Block of Grant Ave yesterday afternoon that we posted about.

Three fires in just over 24 hours makes for a great time to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke detectors and having an emergency escape plan in place. Check detectors at home and have an escape plan for any structure you're in...even in a buisness you may be visiting.

"A fire will never happen"...until it does. Please be safe.

Photos:
JFD Photographer, Retired Lt Dave Sheen

04/28/2026

Obituary and Funeral Service information for Retired Beloit Fire D/C Bruce Hedrington.

https://www.daleymurphywisch.com/obituaries/Bruce-E-Hedrington?obId=48213067&fbclid=IwdGRjcARc7nJjbGNrBFzuamV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlIdvMVcNpzTLhDUEdNSNchjq4zN6xMx43jO_xN5KkIY26iZf8pFmcF0c8m9_aem_oEuzkv1q2XfDbYVXmHxhCg

View Bruce E. Hedrington's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

04/28/2026

Commercial Fire - April 27, 2026 - 2:28pm

JFD crews responded to the 0 Block of Grant Ave for a commercial fire. Upon arrival, E813 found heavy fire showing from a multi-unit storage facility. Crews used a 2.5" attack line to bring the fire under control in under 10 minutes and limit extension. Water supply was established by E815 and E814, which required Court St to be shut down for hydrant access. Extensive overhaul was performed and several items were removed from the unit.

Units on scene were E813, E815, E814, T831, A843, A841, B8, and the JFD Fire Investigation unit. 21 firefighters responded, along with JPD and Alliant Energy.

One bystander was assessed for burn injuries and the fire remains under investigation.

Photos:
JFD Photographer, Retired Lt. Dave Sheen

04/23/2026

Sad news from our fire family in Beloit. Our thoughts are with Bruce's immediate family and Beloit Professional Fire Fighters Local 583 members. Bruce sure was one of the good ones.

Beloit Professional Fire Fighters Local 583 is deeply saddened to announce the passing of City of Beloit Fire Department Deputy Chief Bruce Hedrington.

Bruce was hired by the city and worked his way through the ranks to Deputy Chief. Chief Hedrington also served numerous years as Deputy Chief of the South Beloit Fire Department, and he was instrumental in introducing MABAS to the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.

Bruce lived for the fire service, and loved serving the public. You will be missed more than you know Boss.

We will raise a Diet Coke, and maybe a shot of Jack, in your memory in the next few days.

Rest In Peace DC Bruce Hedrington.


Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin
IAFF 5th District
International Association of Fire Fighters
South Beloit Fire Department

04/18/2026

Some relative calm has returned to the City of Janesville after a night that can easily be described as Hellish.

Many suffered significant loss or have overwhelming damage and the community is hurting.

Our department responded to an onslaught of calls in a very short time, which eventually lead to pulling Disaster Response Box Alarm.

Crews battled a fully involved roof fire on a large farmhouse during the middle of a tornado warning with massive rain, lightning, and flooding trying to slow the way. While that was happening, other crews performed a rescue of a trapped train engineer after a train derailed down a washed out embankment. On top of those two large scale operations going on, more crews were out performing multiple water rescues of people trapped in quickly rising water. Medical calls, smoke investigation, and several more less serious calls also had to be handled, and crews performed to the best of their ability. We thank all the area fire departments who came to assist with the fire and disaster response. Their assistance wasn't only necessary, it was appreciated beyond words by our members.

Several drivers learned the importance lesson of why not to drive through standing water, which we can not stress enough! There are still areas with flooded roads and if you attempt to drive through them, you will likely not make and need to turn around.

Manhole covers were also lifted by powerful flood waters and are missing. Wading through seemingly shallow flood waters could quickly become life threatening if you step into one of these unseen open holes. Stay out of the water and please stay safe!

More details will come about last night's damage, but for now, please know we're here strong to continue supporting this community.

04/18/2026

UPDATE (4/18/26 10 a.m): Most major roadways in the City of Janesville are open to traffic. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and not go around barricades. City crews are continuing to assess and remediate localized traffic disruptions. Residents may report debris in roadways by calling the non-emergency line at (608) 757-2244.
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Several streets in Janesville are currently impassable due to flash flooding. For your safety, avoid unnecessary travel and do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Emergency crews are actively responding, but conditions remain hazardous and may worsen.

Janesville Transit bus service has been suspended for the remainder of Friday evening.

Please avoid travel, monitor local updates, and seek higher ground if you are in a flood-prone area.

Additional information will be provided as it is available.