Mahnke’s death was caused by smoke/soot inhalation and carbon dioxide poisoning.
RACINE — Fire officials have released the cause of Sunday’s fatal fire that left a Racine woman and her three dogs dead.
The fire was determined to be caused by careless use of smoking materials, according to the Racine Fire Department.
At 6:22 a.m. Sunday, Racine Fire Department firefighters responded to a call of smoke in the area of the 2500 Block of Taylor Avenue, according to the Fire Department.
Upon arrival, fire crews identified the location at 2901 Gilson St. and quickly attacked the fire, which was venting through an open bedroom window.
Fire crews were required to force open both locked doors to gain entry. After making entry, the crew from Quint 4 radioed that there was “a lot of debris inside the house” and began searching for and locating a female patient, later identified as 65-year-old Rae-Ellen Mahnke.
Mahnke was immediately taken from the home to a waiting ambulance, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. Mahnke’s three dogs also died in the fire, fire officials reported.
An autopsy confirmed Mahnke’s death was caused by smoke/soot inhalation and carbon dioxide poisoning.
In the home, remnants of a smoke alarm were present, but investigators were unable to locate the complete mechanism after the fire.
The Fire Department reminds the public to take a few minutes to verify that home smoke alarms are in working order and advises that people should never smoke where they sleep.
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RACINE — The identity of the woman killed in Sunday’s fatal morning fire at a south side residence has been released.
Rae Ellen Mahnke, 65, has been identified as the victim killed in the blaze, according to the Racine Fire Department.
At 6:22 a.m. Sunday, firefighters were dispatched to 2901 Gilson St., just east of Taylor Avenue, for a report of a structure fire, according to the Fire Department.
Upon arrival, fire crews initiated a search of the residence and located Mahnke, who subsequently was declared to be deceased. Fire crews also found three deceased pets inside the home, the Fire Department reported.
Fire officials reported that damage was primarily contained to a bedroom, where the fire originated, with smoke and heat damage extending through the rest of the home. Damage is estimated at $70,000. Fire crews secured the property while family contacted their insurance carrier.
Racine police and the county Medical Examiner’s Office assisted at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Fire Department reported Wednesday.