UPDATE: Fire Causes $150,000 in Damage to Prairie Dawn Home

Menomonee Falls Fire Chief Jeffrey Hevey said a fire that caused $150,000 in damage to a home on Prairie Dawn started while the homeowners were attempting to install insulation product in their garage.

On Sunday at 12:05 p.m. the MFFD received a call that a fire started in the garage of a residence on Prairie Dawn. When first responders arrived they could see fire and heavy smoke coming from the home.

The initial report indicated that the fire began in the garage. On Monday, Hevey said the fire actaully began in a stairwell between the basement and the garage. He said the owners were heating insulation product that they were going to install in the garage, and it ignited causing the blaze.

Neighbors gathered along Prairie Dawn and watched as fire fighters battled the three-alarm fire. At times, smoke engulfed the entire block. Hevey said everyone got out of the home safely, and estimatedd the damage at $150,000.

Hevey said 17- to 28-mile-per-hour wind gusts presented a few minor challenges for fire fighters on the scene. However, he said the efforts from MFFD first responders were commendable given the amount of flames showing when they arrived on the scene.

“I’m quite happy with the result given the amount of fire that was visible and had overtaken the house when they arrived. I am pleased with the way the fire fighters were able to confine the fire," Hevey said. “That was real aggressive fire fighting on the part of our members.”

Fire fighters arrived on the scene shortly after 12:05 p.m. and were there until 4:30 p.m. extinguishing the final embers.

Hevey said the family's insurance company has found temporary housing for them, and their insurance company is performing an evaluation of their situation.

The MFFD received mutual aid from several fire departments including Lannon, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Sussex and Germantown.