09/18/2026
Date: 09/18/2026
Memo – Press Release – for the Incident at 9018 Hickory Dr. Town of Kewaskum
On September 17, 2026, at 14:14 the Kewaskum Fire Department was dispatched to 9018 Hickory Dr in the Town of Kewaskum. A passerby went to investigate smoke in the area and found a semi tractor that was fully engulfed inside a large garage. The incident was immediately upgraded to the working still level before Kewaskum Fire units went enroute. While Kewaskum Fire units were enroute, seeing the column of smoke from the Village of Kewaskum, the requested for MABAS Box 18-2-2 to the First Box level for tenders only was requested. Upon arrival, units found heavy smoke and fire through the roof on the North end of the 65’ X 120’ structure. The property/business owner was removing machinery from building. The incident was then upgraded to the full First Box and to the Second Box for tenders only. Initial fire attack was made with Kewaskum’s tenders and drop tanks while the water relay to move the water up the 1000’ driveway with a 5” supply line was being established. Fire suppression and Aerial ladder operations began, but the progression of the fire breached the steel ceiling and rapidly advanced to the south end of the structure. Initial tender fill site was established using hydrant water from the Village of Kewaskum until a larger fill site could be established accessing the Milwaukee River at River Hill Park in the Village of Kewaskum.
The Box Alarm was struck at 15:56 and Kewaskum and Boltonville fire units remained on scene until 18:30.
The structure is deemed as a total loss and the estimated loss of structure and contents is believed to be 2.5 million dollars plus. At the time of this press release, the actual cause of fire remains undetermined. It is strongly believed the fire started within a truck that had been operated approximately 3 hours prior to the incident. The fire is not suspicious in nature.
The Kewaskum Fire Department would like to thank our dedicated mutual aid partners City of West Bend Fire Department, Boltonville Fire Department, Campbellsport Fire Department, Kohlsville Fire Department, Filmore Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, Allenton Fire Department, Newburg Fire Department, Beechwood Fire Department, Eden Fire Department, Theresa Fire Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department Deputies, Fire Investigator and Dispatchers and We Energies.
Respectfully
James Warnkey
Fire Chief
Kewaskum Fire & Rescue
