Raw video
Saukville firefighter committed suicide after setting apartment fire
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SAUKVILLE - A Saukville firefighter found dead at an apartment above the Moose Lodge had set an apartment fire before committing suicide, according to Saukville police.
TODAY'S TMJ4's Melissa McCrady reports that Tim Karrels, 36, was found dead around 9:45 p.m. Sunday night at the building housing the Moose Lodge on Green Bay Avenue.
A neighbor called 911 Sunday evening after smelling smoke coming from the building.
"When our officer got there, once he kicked the door into the apartment, he couldn't make entry because the smoke was so thick, so he had to back off," said Saukville Police Chief Bill Meloy.
Police came to Karrels' apartment door and kicked it in, but smoke was too thick for the officer to enter the apartment.
His body was found inside the apartment after the fire was put out.
"It's tough, no matter what, but when it's a colleague of yours and a firefighter..." said Meloy.
Crews from several departments came in to fight the fire.
Initial reports appeared to show that the fire was contained to the second floor.
Karrels served the Saukville Fire Department for 13 years, and was also a DJ in the area.
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