SUN PRAIRIE RISING

Fire & EMS responded to a separate incident at a manufacturing facility Tuesday

A vehicle crash Monday evening led to a fire at a senior living community in Sun Prairie, prompting a large emergency response and temporary evacuations for residents.

According to Sun Prairie Fire & EMS, crews were dispatched to Hickory Hills Drive for reports of a vehicle that had struck a structure and caught fire. Authorities said the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into two three-unit residential buildings in the 900 block of Hunter’s Ridge Trail.

Sun Prairie Medic Unit 74 was first to arrive and reported that the driver had exited the vehicle, but the fire was spreading to one of the buildings.

Sun Prairie Engine 3 deployed a hose line to extinguish the flames while Truck 1 searched the residential units to ensure all occupants had safely evacuated and to confirm the fire had not spread into the interior of the buildings.

Madison Fire Department Engine 11 assisted crews by connecting to a nearby fire hydrant and helping gain access through a garage door.

The driver of the vehicle was transported from the scene with injuries that were not disclosed.

Officials said three residential units sustained damage, but all residents were ultimately able to remain in their homes.

Sun Prairie Building Inspection personnel later confirmed there was no imminent structural compromise to the buildings. Sun Prairie Utilities also responded to isolate electrical hazards, while Sun Prairie Police assisted with evacuations and scene security.

Chief Praises Multi-Agency Teamwork During Senior Community Emergency

In a message shared with city leaders following the incident, Sun Prairie Fire Chief Chris Garrison praised the coordinated response and highlighted the challenges crews faced while assisting elderly residents displaced by the fire.

Garrison said the incident demonstrated the “Sun Prairie Strong” spirit and credited the professionalism and compassion shown by responders throughout the evening.

“Because this occurred within a 55+ senior living community, many elderly residents were forced from their homes for an extended period,” Garrison wrote. “Our teams worked with extreme thoughtfulness to ensure these residents were kept comfortable and cared for throughout the ordeal.”

Garrison noted that while emergency operations are never perfect, the collaboration between agencies helped crews manage a difficult and high-pressure situation effectively.

Additional agencies assisting at the scene included the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, which provided drone support, and the American Red Cross, which assisted displaced residents.

“This incident proved that when our departments and partners work together, we can manage even the most high-pressure situations with dignity and efficiency,” Garrison said.

Despite the damage caused by the crash and fire, all residents were ultimately able to stay in their homes.

Sprinkler System Quickly Stops Overnight Manufacturing Facility Fire

In a separate incident early Tuesday morning, Sun Prairie Fire & EMS responded to a fire at a manufacturing facility in the Sun Prairie Business Park shortly after 2 a.m.

When crews arrived, employees had already evacuated the building and directed firefighters to a holding furnace near the area where the fire originated.

Officials said the facility’s automatic sprinkler system had already activated and extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived on scene.

Engine 3 staged at the building’s fire department connection and shut off the sprinkler system water supply while Engine 1 verified the fire was fully extinguished.

Deforest-Windsor Ladder 23 also assisted by checking for fire spread and confirming there was no damage to the roof area above the fire.

Approximately four sprinkler heads activated during the incident, successfully containing and extinguishing the fire prior to fire department arrival.

https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/331/Fire

Chief Garrison Praises Teamwork Responding to Vehicle Crash and Fire in Sun Prairie