Greendale Firefighter Gets Called To His Own Burning House

GREENDALE, WI — The Greendale Fire Department is rallying to support one of its own this week after Lt. Mike Schmitt responded to a call Monday and found his own house burning.

Schmitt and his crew were called in for support at a fire on his block in Muskego, Greendale Fire Chief Kenten Kais told Patch. When the dispatcher repeated the address for the call, it was for Schmitt's home.

Fortunately, Schmitt's wife and kids escaped the house uninjured, Kais said, but despite crews being on scene for a few hours, the home appeared to be a total loss. The front was still standing, Kais said, but most belongings were destroyed. The fire appeared to have started in the garage before it spread into the house, he said.

"I was there with them last night about 10, and he certainly was there," Kais said of Schmitt. "But his mind was probably in a thousand places. I was able to talk to his wife and young boy for a little bit. This is not a week or two-week fix — this is going to be a year or more."

To support Schmitt and his family, the Professional Firefighters Of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation started a fundraiser.

Kais said Schmitt was able to come back to the firehouse after the fire to take a shower. After that shower, Schmitt "came out and goes, 'You know, these are the only clothes I have left,'" Kais said.

Schmitt, a full-time firefighter who has been with the Greendale Fire Department for almost 25 years, also volunteers for the Tess Corners Fire Department, Kais said.