Crime & Safety
Saukville Family Getting Back on Its Feet After Devastating Fire
Community rallies around Quade family in the wake of a fire that destroyed home last month.
The Saukville family is now doing much better, and some in the community have rallied to help out.
According to family friend Patti Blanchette, the Quade family moved into some temporary housing last week after staying in a hotel following the May 23 fire at 665 W. Whitegate Drive. The Quades were not home at the time of the fire, but their two dogs were killed in the blaze.
As for the house, Blanchette said there is probably not much that can be salvaged.
Find out what's happening in Port Washington-Saukvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"They are going to have to pretty much rebuild the house," Blanchette said. "I think that have to take it down to the bare bones."
Call to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is investigating, were not returned. However, the fire was initially thought to be caused by bad wiring in the house
Find out what's happening in Port Washington-Saukvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Community efforts
Since the fire, many in the community have rallied to help the family.
Thus far, some fundraisers were held at Saukville schools during its last days in session, and local individuals and businesses have lent a helping hand. According to Blanchette, a donation account for Bette and Jeff Quade was set up at Guaranty Bank in the Saukville .
Some local businesses, like the Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp. in Port Washington, have directly helped the family as well. That company recognized that the Quades lost most of their clothes in the fire, and it donated a gift card to the family.
According to a spokesperson for Allen Edmonds, "the company was so moved by the story they made a donation to literally help the family get back on their feet."
Pet safety in Saukville
Blanchette said the loss of the two dogs was especially "devastating" to the family, and one Saukville alarm company offers a service to make sure those types of losses don't happen.
Detech Firesense Technologies in Saukville offers a pet monitoring service through one of its partners. According to June Driscoll with Detech, the service notifies close friends and neighbors in the event of a fire, in the hopes that at least one of them can get to the house and free any pets.
Driscoll said there are numerous testimonials about the success of the service.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
