Bad Wiring Suspected Cause of Wednesday Fire

Bad electrical wiring is the suspected cause for a fire that caused extensive damage to a Saukville family's home on Wednesday, killing the family's two dogs.

The State Fire Marshall concluded that the faulty wiring in combination with some dry wood caused the fire, Saukville Fire Chief Gilly Schultz said, adding that he is waiting for that same conclusion from the insurance company before it is confirmed as the official reason for the fire.

None of the Quade family members were home , said Saukville Police Chief Bill Meloy. While Meloy did not go inside the house, he called the damage "extensive." The family has been staying in an area hotel since the fire, and efforts have started locally to help the family replace their things lost in the fire.

How you can help

Staff at are collecting a cash donation through Tuesday, with plans to turn the cash into gift cards to give the family, according to school secretary Jeanne Maciejewski. Parents, students or others interested in donating can bring the money to Maciejewski; they will also collect cards to give to the family, but are not collecting clothing, etc.

Saukville resident and nearby neighbor Amy Huegerich has been working to find ways to donate to the family. Huegerich said anyone interested in donating money or sending the family a card can e-mail her at amy@huegerich.com.

Huegerich also said that the Quades use Guaranty Bank, and bank staff have told her that anyone can stop by and leave a donation for the family at the bank by telling them to leave the money in the Quade's account.

Fire reported just before noon

Emergency personnel responded to a call of smoke coming out of a window at about 11:40 a.m. The blaze was brought under control in about two hours.

"They lost two precious pets in the fire and that was tragic," the chief said. "There was nobody else hurt."

In addition to Saukville, fire departments from Port Washington, Grafton, Waubeka, Thiensville, Newburg, Mequon, Fredonia and Cedarburg also responded to the call.

Saukville firefighter Peter Orth was treated at Aurora Hospital in Grafton after falling through the living room floor while battling the blaze, according to the Ozaukee Press.