A Saturday afternoon fire at E29565 County Highway MM east of County Highway H has left the home a total loss, a dog also found deceased on scene.
Called in after 1:38 p.m., the fire call saw full response from Stanley, Boyd, and Thorp, along with two water tenders from the Cadott fire department. The homeowner, Mary Ann Wilbur, was not home at the time of the fire, which was fully engulfed upon firefighter arrival. The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department also responded, with deputies using a garden hose to attempt fire suppression until firefighters arrived. A dog was later found deceased inside from smoke.
Stanley Fire Chief Ron Patten said the cause was determined to be two batteries which were being charged on the counter and overheated.
A Go Fund Me entitled “Help Grandma Rebuild After House Fire” has been set up by Jennifer Hanson to raise funds toward recovery.
“Today, our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy,” Hanson wrote. “My grandma lost her home and everything she owned in a devastating house fire. Thankfully, she made it out safely, but in a matter of moments she lost her best friend her dog Sammy, her clothes, personal belongings, cherished memories, and the place she called home for so many years. My grandma has always been the kind of person who helps everyone around her without hesitation. She has a heart full of kindness, strength, and love, and now she needs our support more than ever as she begins the overwhelming process of rebuilding her life from scratch.
“We are raising funds to help cover immediate necessities like clothing, toiletries, food, temporary housing, medications, and other essential expenses as she navigates this heartbreaking loss. Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean the world to our family. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping my grandma in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity.”

Also in emergency calls over the weekend, a gas leak at Boyd on Park Street resulted in the evacuation of five homes and the Park Ridge Apartments, with residents taking shelter in the nearby school. The call made at 5:43 p.m. saw firefighters on scene for four hours, leaving by 9:42 p.m. WE Energies remained on site to continue work. Several residents developed breathing issues as a result of the gas leak.
Finally over the weekend, an early morning call from the 300 block of First Avenue in Stanley reported a vehicle rollover, with arrival revealing someone had instead struck a parked vehicle. Communication issues are thought to have contributed to the confusion on what had happened.