Niagara Volunteer Fire Department members Nick Maychunich and Jacob Dunlap battled both flames and frigid temperatures Tuesday at a fire at 1049 Forest St. in Niagara, Wis. The house is considered a total loss. (Stephanie Kay Hull photo)

NIAGARA, Wis. — A Niagara home is considered a total loss after a fire Tuesday afternoon, but firefighters managed to keep the blaze from spreading to neighboring structures despite battling extreme cold as well as the blaze.

The Niagara Volunteer Fire Department and Niagara Emergency Unit were called out to 1049 Forest St. at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday.

Firefighters faced not only the fire but also subzero temperatures and wind chills that dipped to minus 30, a situation not only uncomfortable but dangerous, according to Niagara Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Audrey Fredrick.

The public works department had to sand roads around the fire about 4 p.m. after they became ice-covered from the water spray. Public works also tore down some of the house to give firefighters more access to the flames.

The home’s occupants escaped without injury, but a dog perished in the fire. No firefighters were hurt despite the conditions.

After leaving the site by 8:30 p.m., firefighters returned this morning when flames reignited in the house wreckage.

The cause of the fire is still being determined. Niagara Police also assisted at the site.

Donations can be made to the Richard Mierzejewski family at any area Forward Financial Credit Union.