Garage fire leaves family homeless

A Town of Saukville garage fire on Memorial Day has left the owners displaced.

Grafton Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Karpinski, who oversees administrative duties for the Saukville Fire Department, said the fire occurred at approximately 2 p.m. Monday, May 31.

“When the first units arrived to the scene they saw the fire was fully involved,” he said, noting that Saukville firefighters upgraded the alarm for other departments to assist.

Karpinski said there were no people inside the garage or an attached house, but six dogs and a cat were rescued from the property.

Karpinski said the fire originated in the  garage at 3258 Hwy. O and spread into the house. The residence was left uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage, he added.

Officials said the fire remains under investigation and the cause is undetermined.

“There is significant damage. The fire was stopped prior to spreading into the residence, but there is definitely water and smoke damage inside,” Karpinski said.

The residents were reportedly undecided where they will live until the property can be repaired. Karpinski said they may stay at a property they own in northern Wisconsin, at a hotel or with friends and family.

Also assisting at the scene were fire departments from Port Washington, Grafton, Fredonia, Newburg, Cedarburg, Belgium, Waubeka, Thiensville and Mequon.