Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Early Morning House Fire Causes $240,000 in Damage

More than 34 firefighters from four departments respond to blaze; cause unknown.

Editor's Note: This story was updated with new information at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

An early morning fire Wednesday caused about $240,000 in damage to a single-family, two-story home in the W24000 block of Clover Drive.

Nobody was injured during the fire, which started at about 2:45 a.m. The cause still remains under investigation but there seems to be absolutely no reason to believe it was arson, said Sussex Fire Chief Colin "Corky" Curtis. The cause of the fire is currently classified as undetermined.

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According to Curtis:

The family woke up in the middle of the night, heard some noise and thought it was raining outside. It wasn't until later that they discovered the back of their home was up in flames.

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The first firefighters on the scene found flames shooting up the exterior walls and into the attic. The home sustained extensive fire damage, as well as smoke and water damage. Damage is estimated at $170,000 to the structure and $70,000 to contents in the home.

A neighbor said the homeowners Dan and Yolanda McCanna are now assessing whether the damage is repairable or if the house is completely totaled. However, it's now been confirmed that the homeowners will tear down the home and completely rebuild it.

Dave Jasinski, a neighbor to the McCanna's and Secretary of the Sussex Lions Club, said he's been talking with the homeowners. He said they have insurance and it will pay for the reconstruction of the home.

"I have asked many times and they're not looking for any help at time," said Jasinski.

Village Trustee Jim Batzko added, "It's my understanding that the homeowner also lost both of his parents this year, so it's been a rough year for him."

The McCanna's placed a large sign in front of their destroyed home reading, "Thank you neighbors, God Bless You." Jasinski said they will be staying in a nearby apartment until their new home is built. 

Firefighters from Sussex, Lisbon, Merton and Richfield got the fire under control in about one hour.  The fire was reported by the homeowner to Waukesha County Communications 911 Dispatch center. The first unit arrived within five minutes. During a Fire Commissioners Meeting, Curtis commented on the fantastic job the area fire departments did and thanked them for helping.

He also thanked all the behind-the-scenes work being done at the fire.

Not only did they attempt to salvage as many personal belongings as possible while fighting the fire, but one firefighter sat with the homeowners in a car, explained what was being done to control the flames and consoled them as they cried.

Firefighters responded with 34 personnel, eight pieces of equipment and remained on the scene for seven hours.


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