Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Firefighters from the Shawano Area Fire Department get into position as black smoke comes off the roof of the former Shawano Medical Center.
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Smoke billows Monday afternoon from the roof of the former Shawano Medical Center after a fire broke out.
Fire broke out Monday at the former Shawano Medical Center as demolition crews were working to dismantle the vacant 85-year-old structure.
Witnesses reported seeing demolition workers on the roof when the fire started, but property owner ThedaCare health system said there were no injuries.
The fire, which witnesses said began around 3:30 p.m., appeared to be under control within about an hour, and damage initially did not look extensive in the partially demolished building at 309 N. Bartlett St.
Firefighters spraying water down from towering ladders focused their efforts on the south end of the building in an area where flames and heavy smoke were visible.
Smoke filled the neighborhood and could be seen from blocks away.
Nearby homeowner Al Dionne said he had just returned home and climbed out of his car when he saw demolition workers running toward the south end of the old hospital, where smoke was pouring out of the building.
“I saw the flames and the smoke,” Dionne said. “It was completely black. The smoke actually caught my breath.”
Neighbors and other onlookers gathered to watch the ironic spectacle of firefighters struggling to save the former hospital, only so demolition crews could finish the job of knocking it down.
Shawano Mayor Jeanne Cronce joined the crowd of spectators and called the situation “amazing.”
“They were working so hard to take it down in a succinct way,” Cronce said. “It’s just one of those freak accidents, I guess.”
The hospital, built in 1931, has been vacant since ThedaCare opened its new $50 million hospital last year at 100 County Road B. After redevelopment efforts failed for the old facility, city officials gave their blessing for demolition, which began about three months ago.
Demolition contractor Statewide Razing could not be reached for comment about Monday’s fire.
Firefighters remained on the scene Monday evening, and officials from the Shawano Area Fire Department could not be reached for comment.
Although witnesses reported that the fire appeared to start in an area of the old hospital that housed electrical equipment, ThedaCare facilities director John Gijsen said all electrical power within the building had been turned off since demolition work began in April.
Gijsen said no cause for the fire had been determined yet, and demolition would not resume until a thorough safety review had been conducted.
Gijsen praised the response of firefighters battling to douse the blaze.
“The Shawano fire department did a wonderful job,” he said.
Neighbor Paul Romberg said he heard a loud noise come from the hospital and then noticed workers operating skid-steer demolition equipment on the roof near where the fire started. A few minutes later, he said, he could see smoke and flames coming from the building.
Romberg, who has lived across the street for 40 years, recalled his disappointment of seeing the hospital property slowly deteriorate over the years. He wondered if the fire might finish off the job once and for all.
“This was the most beautiful hospital,” he said. “It’s just a building now.”