Angelica farmhouse gutted by fire

A family of four in the town of Angelica is picking up the pieces after their home was destroyed Friday night in a fire whipped by strong winds.

Officials with the Pulaski Tri-County Fire Department declared the four-bedroom farmhouse a total loss at N4091 Green Valley Road.

Homeowner Jamie Lardinois said he and his wife, Michaela, went out for dinner and returned about 9:30 p.m. to find smoke pouring from the house. Their two children, ages 4 and 2, were staying with grandparents while the couple enjoyed a night out.

“We came home and didn’t have a house no more,” Lardinois said.

The ranch-style house was reduced to charred rubble, as firefighters were unable to get the blaze under control with winds gusting through the Shawano County countryside.

Several surrounding fire departments arrived to offer assistance, including firefighters from Shawano, Bonduel, Cecil, Green Valley and Howard. No injuries were reported.

Pulaski Tri-County Fire Chief James Styczynski said the building was in flames when crews arrived, and strong winds made it impossible to save the home.

“It was a major factor,” Styczynski said of the wind. “It was working against us.”

Investigators are still trying to pinpoint the case, although they believe the fire started in the basement.

The home, located near Green Valley Road and Middle Drive just northwest of Pulaski, sits on an 80-acre farm where the Lardinoises operate Green Valley Goat Dairy, with about 500 goats.

Lardinois, 24, said the property has been in his wife’s family for 100 years.

The farmhouse destroyed in the fire was built 22 years ago, he said, adding that the family has insurance and already is thinking about rebuilding.