Alderman Grateful for Support After Dryer Fire

Update, 12:23 p.m. Monday: When Waukesha Alderman Vance Skinner’s smoke detectors went off while he was sleeping early Monday morning, the next few minutes turned into a nightmare.

Hoping they had simply left food in the oven, Skinner said his partner went downstairs to locate the cause of the fire.

“There was no smoke downstairs,” he said.

They soon located the fire in the upstairs bathroom and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher. They couldn’t put it out, so they got their girls and the dog out of the house, grabbing their wallets on the way out.

“The fire department was here very fast,” Skinner said. “…We just stood in our driveway and watched while they did their thing. They did a fantastic job – very accommodating and made us feel reassured.”

During the last 12 hours, Skinner said his family has received an outpouring of community support, especially from the neighbors, city employees and Carroll University. The family will be staying at hotel the next few days as the damage is fixed.

That was the one message Skinner wanted to share with the community.

“Thank you doesn’t cut it,” Skinner said. “We are just overwhelmed with community support. “

Earlier: The quickly extinguished a dryer fire that started at 12:35 a.m. Monday at 200 McCall Street.

The damage was limited to the second floor bathroom where the stackable washer and dryer were located, according to Battalion Chief Steve Ore.

Firefighters reported finding smoke and heat in the building when they responded. Clothing that was in the dryer was burning, according to Ore.