Posted: 11/1/06
Halloween party turns tragic in Sunrise
 An Oct. 28 Halloween party ended in disaster for a Sunrise Twsp. family when their home burned down, sparked by a jack-oí-lantern. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
A Halloween party turned tragic for the Rick and Cheryl Ramberg family, Sunrise Township, on the evening of Oct. 28, when the bulk of attendees departed for a hayride and returned to find the home, at 10775 367th Street, fully engulfed in flames.
The Almelund Fire Department, received the call just after 8 p.m. from someone at the party who had opted out of the hayride, but when firefighters arrived on the scene minutes later it was too late.
ìWhen we got there it had already gone through the roof and there were 30-foot flamesî above that, said Almelund Fire Chief John Lichtscheidl. With the help of both the Lindstrom and North Branch fire departments, the fire was suppressed enough after an hour for firefighters to enter the house and salvage some of the familyís belongings from the lower level. Still, Lichtscheidl stated that much of what was salvaged had smoke and water damage.
The fire is believed to have started on the front porch of the house, where a Halloween display was set up. A lit pumpkin caught fire and ignited other items on the table, which in turn ignited the awnings and subsequently the roof. The entire structure was involved within minutes and only a
detached garage directly east of the home was spared.
Lichtscheidl was very appreciative of the support from the North Branch and Lindstrom departments, and expressed condolences to the Ramberg family. No firefighters, residents or guests were injured.
Firefighters were able to clear the scene at about midnight.
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