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The fire was reported at 8:30 a.m. to the Coon Valley Village Hall, after the occupant of the house, Angela Bernd, could not get cell phone service and drove to the hall to report the fire.
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Members of the Coon Valley Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene within minutes of the call, followed by firefighters from Stoddard and Westby. According to Coon Valley Fire Chief Russ Cornford, the fire was contained to the upper level of the two-story house, but the entire structure received heavy smoke and water damage.
Bernd, the sole occupant of the house, escaped without injury, along with three dogs and a cat. A pet rabbit also was safely removed from the lower level of the house by firefighters.
The owner of the house, Kathy Lenser, was out of town when the fire occurred.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it is believed to have started in a light fixture in an upstairs bedroom.
