A house fire in Crawford County has claimed the lives of two girls. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department has notified of the fire in the Village of Wauzeka at 11:30 Monday night. The caller reported that the home was engulfed in flames, and smoke was coming from the windows. The caller, along with a Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy and neighbors, attempted to gain entry into the residence but could not, due to the amount of smoke and fire.
The Wauzeka Fire Department and First Responders, along with the Boscobel Fire Department and EMS, responded to the call.
After the fire was extinguished, the bodies of the two girls were found inside the home. Lena and Trinity Bartels, ages 12 and 15, were the only occupants in the home at the time of the fire. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by the Crawford County Coronor. The state fire marshall has been called to assist in the investigation. The cause of the fire remains unknown.