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Fire erupts at Sunburst Ski Area
By NICOLE KUEHL
nkuehl@kewaskumstatesman.com
1/18/08 KEWASKUM- Sunburst Ski Hill suffered a major loss this afternoon, when a building used as their main pumphouse, an office and for heavy equipment storage started on fire. Three area fire departments assisted Kewaskum Fire Department in containing the large blaze.
Kewaskum Fire Department and EMS were dispatched around 1:30 p.m., with Kohlsville Fire being paged shortly after for full mutual aid. West Bend and Boltonville Fire Departments were also requested for manpower and tankers.
The facility was situated next to a building that contained all the electrical equipment to run the lifts and lights for the ski area. The electrical components for the tubing area are housed separately away from the area where the fire occurred. A Sunburst employee stated that skiing on the major run would not be possible.
It is unknown how the fire started but all personnel working in the vicinity were evacuated safely.
Sunburst owner Jim Engel was on scene but unable to comment. Employees and Engel were able to remove equipment from the storage shed before any more damage could take place.
"Ski operations are suspended for the evening but are expected to re-open at 9 a.m. Saturday morning with four rope tows and two chairlifts. Terrain parks and all ski slopes are unaffected by the fire. All programs races and special events that were scheduled for the weekend are still going to take place," stated Sunburst General Manager Steve Voss.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen as far away as Paradise Drive in West Bend and throughout the village of Kewaskum. Sunburst is located just south of the village on Prospect Drive.
Andrew Kuehl reported on this story
from the scene.
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