Firefighters Rescue Person and Pet Turtle from Delafield House Fire

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Firefighters responded to a house fire in Delafield, Wisconsin early Saturday morning and rescued one person as well as a pet turtle named Franklin from the burning home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Why it matters

House fires pose a serious threat to public safety, and the quick action of firefighters likely saved lives in this incident. The rescue of the pet turtle also highlights the importance of first responders going above and beyond to protect all living beings during emergencies.

The details

Lake Country Fire & Rescue said they received a call about the fire on Lapham Peak Road around 3:45 a.m. on Saturday. While some residents had already evacuated, firefighters conducted a search and rescued one person from the second floor of the home. That person was evaluated at the scene and transported to a hospital. Crews were also able to rescue a pet turtle named Franklin that was inside the home. The fire was brought under control by 4:25 a.m., but the cause remains under investigation.

• The fire was reported to dispatchers around 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
• Firefighters arrived on the scene minutes after the initial call.
• The fire was brought under control by 4:25 a.m.

What’s next

Investigators will continue to look into the cause of the fire to determine what sparked the blaze.