Four dead in Oconto house fire early Friday morning

Green Bay Press-Gazette

A home on Fabry Street in the city of Oconto, where four people died in fire early this morning, Jan. 17.

OCONTO – Four people died in Friday's early morning house fire in Oconto, authorities announced Friday afternoon.

Oconto Police Chief Mike Rehberg called it a “tragic loss in our community.”

“We’ve had a couple of fatal fires, but nothing to this extent,” Rehberg said.

Identification of the victims and notification of relatives are pending.

Rehberg said he couldn’t yet provide information on whether any of the victims are children.

However, the residents of the home are connected with the Oconto school district, Superintendent Emily Miller confirmed Friday afternoon.

"Our school and community are devastated by this tragic fire," Miller said. "Our thoughts are with the family and with all impacted. I know our district will do everything it can to support the family and the community during this difficult time."

The district said counselors are available at each of the district’s schools Friday, and additional counseling services will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Oconto High School, Rehberg said.

Emergency counseling is also available by calling Oconto County Human Services at 920-834-7000.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims as we deal with this tragic loss in our community,” Rehberg said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by his department, as well as the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, the Brown County Medical Examiner’s Office and the state Division of Criminal Investigation.

The fire was reported by a neighbor about 2:53 a.m. Friday, Rehberg said.

When Oconto firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire conditions. The four individuals and one pet were found dead, according to Oconto Fire Rescue Chief John Reed.

Also assisting with blaze were fire departments from Oconto Falls, the town of Little River Fire, the town of Pensaukee, and the Bellevue Fire Department.

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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com.