Fire Destroys Outbuilding and Contents

December 14, 2008
Contact: Lt. David Karls Phone: (608) 284-6155 FAX: (608) 284-6043
Sheriff's Office

Madison, WI: Sunday, December 14, 2008 At 12:04 am Dane County Deputies responded with Cross Plains, Middleton, and Black Earth Fire Depratments to 4480 Dahmen Pass in the Town of Cross Plains. The resident there had called the Communications Center to report a fire in a 48' x 48' pole building located on the property. When emergency personnel arrived they found the building to be fully engulfed in flames. James Aeschbach reported he and his sons had last been in the building at 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon. They had done some repair work on a car inside the building. Just prior to Aeschbach reporting the fire, he stated he was inside his house and he heard a loud "pop" sound from outside. Aeschbach went outside and saw flames emmitting from the building. The building contained a complete set of tools and equipment used for automotive repair, two automobiles, a skid steer compact loader, a tractor, lawnmower, and a pop-up camper. The building and all contents were lost in this fire. Additionally, three more automobiles parked outside the building were consumed by the fire. There were no injuries reported from the fire. Although the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature at this time, the Dane County Sheriff's Office and Cross Plains Fire Department continue to investigate to determine the exact cause of the fire. A monetary estimate of loss has yet to be determined.