Victim Identified In Waukesha Fatal Fire: Police

WAUKESHA, WI — Authorities in Waukesha are still trying to put the pieces together as they investigate a fire that resulted in the death of one person on Thursday.

On Monday evening, authorities identified the person who died in the fire, as well as recovering a classic car that had been stolen from the residence.

Waukesha police said that 63-year-old Michael Huelse died in Thursday's fire, and that the exact cause and circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated.

Police reported that a burnt orange 1969 Pontiac Firebird soft top convertible had been stolen from the home prior to the fire. On Monday, police said an astute citizen found the missing Firebird abandoned in an alleyway in Milwaukee. The citizen called police, and police recovered the classic car.

Police are trying to uncover more fact about this case, including whether the car theft and Huelse's death are somehow related.

Thursday Fire Reported

Early Thursday morning, authorities were called to a home on the 600 block of S. University Drive at just after 5 a.m. on a report of heavy smoke coming from inside the building.

Authorities say that fire crews battled the fire from the inside of the home. They put out the fire and found a victim, later identified as Huelse, within eight minutes of arrival, authorities said.

"Our hearts go out to the family for the loss of their family member. We are respecting their privacy and continue to be at their side in during this tragic event," authorities said Thursday morning.

Investigators with the Waukesha Police Department are asking for the public's help to secure more information as they try to solve this case. The Lead
Detective in this case is Detective Tim Probst, who can be reached at 262-524-3814 or tprobst@waukesha-wi.gov.