Woman jumps, dog tossed from burning building

A woman and dog were forced to jump from a burning multi-family building in Baraboo early Thursday morning.

The Baraboo Fire Department was called to 702 12th St. at 3:44 a.m. for a report of a smoke alarm and smoke filling a hallway.

Firefighters reported seeing smoke coming from the back of the two-story building when they arrived. A woman was seen on the rear upper balcony where the smoke was coming from.

The woman threw her dog, named Cottonwood, to Officer Mark Wichner before jumping to the ground and landing on her back, firefighters said. She was taken to St. Clare Hospital by ambulance with unspecified injuries.

“She had talked to the police officer after she dropped the dog, and he was urging her to stay on the patio because the engine was on the way, but she had made the decision to exit rather abruptly,” Baraboo Fire Chief Kevin Stieve said.

An occupant of the building, after calling 911, used a fire extinguisher on the fire. All other occupants were evacuated without injuries.

Firefighters said the fire started in the common hallway, which had fire and smoke damage. The upper apartment occupied by the injured woman also had heat and smoke damage. The remaining three apartments are still habitable.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cottonwood was being cared for Thursday by a neighbor.