COON VALEY, Wis. –  A Coon Valley home was destroyed in a fire while the mother was away dropping her kids off for day-care. She came home to see smoke coming out of the house and called 911. When firefighters arrived, the bottom floor was gone This was about 6:35 a.m. In an attempt to get on top of the fire, they had to bring in an excavator to dig into the house. Firefighters were unable to clear the scene for 3-1/2 hours. Although no one was in house, several pets were thought to have perished inside.

Rural LaCrosse County. At West 2300 block of State Highway 33. Image: Coon Valley Fire Department