'Inappropriate' Storage of Oily Rags Caused Waukesha North Fire

Damage estimates for the fire at Waukesha North High School are expected to exceed several hundred-thousand dollars, according to Waukesha Fire Marshal Brian Charlesworth.

Thursday morning's fire shut down the school for two weeks for restoration work. The fire broke out hours after the gym's floor was replaced. The fire was started by "the inappropriate storage and disposal of oily rags, which may have spontaneously combusted, causing the fire," Charlesworth said in the release.

The damage estimate is not yet complete because of the large amount of smoke damage caused to the school.

School staff members are currently working at Butler Middle School. Parents and students will be able to pick up iPads for the 2013-14 school year at Butler Middle School between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Aug. 15 and 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 16.

According to the Waukesha Fire Department, crews were called just before 5 a.m. after staff at nearby Linden Grove Nursing Home noticed strobe lights on the school building were flashing. A small fire was discovered in the gym and additional stations were called in.

The fire was put out quickly and damage was contained to an area around a door, though the gym floor — in the process of being refinished — sustained some damage. The gym and some classrooms and hallways had a lot of smoke.

Connect with your community on Patch!
Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter
Sign up for the Waukesha Patch Newsletter