Wisconsin Firefighter Dies in Blaze - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Wisconsin Firefighter Dies in Blaze - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

'We're supposed to be the people that save and not lose,' a choked up Fire Chief Jeff Stauber said Monday morning at a news conference about the death of a 17-year veteran firefighter. 'It's devastating.'

Engineer Arnie Wolff, 55, died Sunday in a house fire on Green Bay's east side, five days before he was to earn a promotion to lieutenant.

Chief Stauber says firefighters were called to the home at 438 Edgewood Drive minutes before 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Two firefighters entered through the home's back door. The floor collapsed and they fell into the basement, which was filled with burning debris.

Stauber believes the fire was contained in the basement and was 'fully involved' -- and firefighters were unaware of it until the collapse.

The other firefighter, Jo Brinkley-Chaudoir, was able to escape through a basement window, Stauber said. Fire crews could not enter the home to search for Wolff immediately because the burning home was too dangerous."