Family displaced after fire
Wed, 02/03/2021 - 4:25pm
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—Brian Swestka Family Benefit Fund at CUSB
CRESCO - The Brian and Sami Swestka family is unable to live in their home after a fire on Feb. 2, 2021.
The Cresco Fire Department was paged to a house fire at 9094 Yankee Avenue at 4:30 a.m. on 2-2-2021.
Brian was awakened by the home’s smoke detectors and was able to get himself and their three young children safely out of the home and called 911.
The call to 911 was actually answered by Sami, who is employed as a Howard County Dispatcher at the Law Enforcement Center and was on shift at the time.
All four persons were sleeping on the second story of the home at the time of the fire. Fire Chief Neal Stapelkamp noted the escape was quite remarkable as Brian needed to rescue their three children while navigating through the rapidly-deteriorating conditions as the home was rapidly filling with toxic smoke.
The chief added, “In lieu of the obvious, it was a very stressful phone call received by Sami from her husband, Brian on 911. Sami conducted herself remarkably well, with great composure, while providing great detail and accurate information.”
Cresco Fire arrived on scene to find an active basement fire. Entry was made by Crew 1 to find the seat of the fire and extinguish the basement, while Crew 2 entered the upper two levels to ensure there was no fire extension.
Once the fire was controlled and extinguished, the home was ventilated of smoke, overhauled and checked for hot spots. The home suffered moderate fire damage to the basement, with very heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the remainder of the home. The Fire Department was on scene for approximately three hours.
Stapelkamp stated, “This is a great example and story of the fact that working smoke detectors save lives!”
The Cresco Fire Department was assisted by the Howard County Sheriff Department, Regional Health Services Ambulance, Cresco Fire Dispatch, and MiEnergy.
The family has been displaced from their residence.
Proving that living in a small town is best, the community has come together. Clothing has been dropped off for the family, and another local took a home off the market to allow them a place to stay. A fund has been set up at CUSB Bank under Swestka Family Benefit Fund. Donations are being accepted.
What to do during a fire
CRESCO - The Cresco Fire Department responded to two fires (a garage on Jan. 30 and a house on Feb. 2) in three days. There were no serious human injuries in either case, but it could have been very bad.
The Brian Swestka family did exactly what they should.
• They had working smoke detectors! This likely saved the lives of Brian (Sami) and their three children.
• He roused his family and made sure everyone was outside.
• He called 911.
• He left valuables behind (including a family pet) in order to save his family.
• They went outside and stayed outside. “Do not return for anything,” said Fire Chief Neal Stapelkamp. “This can be fatal.”
He reminds everyone:
~ Have working smoke detectors on all levels of the home.
~ Have one meeting spot in the event all occupants do not exit together. By doing so, you can have accountability.
It is also a good idea to clear snow away from fire hydrants on your property to assist the fire department; be sure to also have carbon monoxide detectors in the home; and clean snow and ice from vent areas of your gas meters.
