A fire at a Kenosha, Wis. Civil War museum caused smoke and water damage.
Kenosha Fire Battalion Chief Matt Haerter says the fire appeared to be active for hours before a maintenance worker heard alarms go off.
Authorities believe spontaneously combusting oil rags may have sparked the fire.
The sprinkler system appeared to have been on for hours and was able to keep the fire under control before firefighters extinguished the fire.
Haerter says a significant amount of smoke was produced.
The museum was due to open to the public, with its grand opening in June.
The museum’s director could not immediately be reached for comment.
.
Source: .
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Big I: Independent Agencies’ Market Share Up Slightly in 2025
Florida’s Unemployment Rate Is Surging Even as High-Profile Companies Move In
‘Ghost Broker’ Who Procured 1,120 Policies Through Fraud Arrested
Mississippi Insurance Dept. Top Examiner Named in $90M Credit Union Theft Suit 

