7/13/2026

ARBOR VITAE – At around noon Saturday, Arbor Vitae Fire Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire of a duplex on White Pine Lane in Arbor Vitae in Southern Vilas County.  A search of the inside for victims was attempted, but fire crews were forced to retreat due to a high level of fire and heat.  One occupant escaped the fire and was taken to a local hospital and airlifted to a Madison burn unit for treatment of burn injuries.  An investigation indicated the fire started in a lower-level room where ammunition re-loading was in process. It is believed a round discharged and ignited gun powder, causing the fire. The duplex is determined to be a complete loss.  Fire departments from Woodruff, St. Germain, Lake Tomahawk, Minocqua, Hazelhurst, Lac Du Flambeau, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, and Plum Lake responded as well.  No first responders were injured.