Fire takes buildings, one life in Lynxville

A trailer fire along Highway 35 and Spring Street in Lynxville just after 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, spread to the nearby buildings, owned by Talbert McLain, that have housed businesses such as the old Lynxville Bar and most recently Possum Tail thrift store. The fire was reported by a neighbor and described as fully engulfed. 

According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, there was one victim found badly burned and deceased inside the trailer. Though DNA confirmation has not been given yet, the presumed victim is Ronald Hees Jr., 54, Sheriff Dale McCullick said. The Wisconsin Office of the State Fire Marshal was contacted and a fire investigator responded to the scene.

An official cause report from the fire marshal’s office has not been completed. Due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire may never be certain, according to local officials. However, preliminary thoughts are that the fire was possibly started by a cigarette or electrical issue.

Highway 35 was closed for about four hours due to the amount of smoke and fire near the highway, the sheriff’s department reported. Assisting at the scene was Seneca Fire and First Responders, Eastman Fire, Ferryville Fire, Gays Mills Fire, Tri-State Ambulance, Alliant Energy and the Crawford County Coroner.