FireThat Killed Wisconsin Firefighter Ruled Accidental

March 12, 2012

Investigators say the fire that destroyed a historic Wisconsin theater and killed a firefighter was an accident.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday it has completed its investigation into Sunday’s fire at the Abby Theatre in Abbotsford, Wis.

Investigators say the fire started in the theater’s lobby area and was “accidental in nature.”

A volunteer firefighter from the Colby Fire Department, Jamison Kampmeyer, died battling the blaze after part of the roof collapsed. Two other firefighters inside were injured but were rescued from the building.

Kampmeyer also was a Marathon County sheriff’s deputy. His funeral was held Friday in Colby.

WAOW-TV reports investigators estimate damage to the theatre at about $300,000.