No injuries were reported Tuesday to either occupants or firefighters as a fire consumed a home at 550 Spring Lake Road in Rhinelander.
Fire Chief Terry Williams reports the call came in after 7 p.m. and fire crews were on the scene in three minutes.
At arrival heavy smoke and fire was observed through the roof. The team confirmed all the occupants were out of the house. Firefighters entered the home but were driven back by flames and the roof collapsed. They used a ladder truck to fight the blaze.
After two hours fighting the blaze the meow of a cat was heard and the animal was rescued from the house and given oxygen and returned to the occupants. At the time of the fire, the air temperature was -21 with wind chill at -45.
Rhinelander Fire Department was assisted by Pine Lake and Pelican Fire Departments and Oneida County Medic-1.
