November 4, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – Classes were canceled at West Bend High School today because of fire. Now, West Bend Fire Department has issued a report on its findings.
Date/Time: November 4, 2026
Location: 1305 E. Decorah
Incident: 26-004888
On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at approximately 5:03 a.m., the West Bend Fire Department was dispatched to West Bend High Schools, located at 1305 E. Decorah Road, for a report of smoke in the second-floor hallways.
Based on the initial information, West Bend Public Safety Dispatchers requested a Full Still response using MABAS Card 15-1-1. This resulted in the dispatch of all West Bend Fire Department stations, along with designated automatic-aid companies from the Kewaskum and Jackson Fire Departments.
Battalion Chief 1, Engine 3, Tower 1, Engine 2, and Medic 1 responded immediately. Engine 2 was the first unit to arrive and reported no visible smoke or flames from the exterior of the building. A school official met with the Engine 2 crew on the south side of the building and reported finding smoke on the second floor near the library and the “Nifty Nibble” kitchen. The Engine 2 crew entered the building with a pressurized water extinguisher to investigate.
Upon arrival, Engine 3 was assigned to conduct a primary search and assist with an offensive fire attack, entering through the West Field House entrance. At the same time, Tower 1 deployed its aerial ladder to investigate the roof.
Crews initially experienced difficulty locating the source of the smoke, as the building’s HVAC system had circulated thick smoke throughout much of the second floor.
Engine 3 personnel ultimately located a small fire in the Nifty Nibble kitchen, near a stainless-steel food preparation table and a gas range/oven. The fire was quickly extinguished using a pressurized water extinguisher.
Following extinguishment, crews completed overhaul operations and confirmed that the fire had not extended beyond the area of origin. However, significant smoke remained throughout the second floor.
Firefighters remained on scene for several hours, coordinating ventilation efforts to clear affected hallways and classrooms with assistance from West Bend School District maintenance staff.
Once ventilation was complete, air quality readings were taken throughout the affected areas and confirmed to be within safe levels.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The West Bend Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to the Jackson and Kewaskum Fire Departments, the West Bend Police Department, West Bend Public Safety Dispatchers, and West Bend School District maintenance staff for their prompt response, cooperation, and professional assistance during this incident.
### END ###
Incident Commander
Matthew Benidt
Battalion Chief
UPDATE issued at 10 a.m.
Earlier this morning, a fire occurred in a second floor classroom in the Nifty Nibble area of our High Schools and reached the ceiling area resulting in the closure of the building for all students and staff today, November 4, 2026.
We are grateful that this incident occurred before the start of the school day, when students and staff were not yet in the building. We sincerely appreciate the quick response from the West Bend Fire Department and West Bend Police Department as well as area departments who supported their response.
District officials are working closely with the West Bend Fire and Police Departments, along with environmental and remediation specialists, to assess the cause of the fire, determine affected areas, conduct air quality testing, and evaluate building systems, including HVAC equipment. These steps are essential to ensuring the building is safe for students and staff to return.
While our goal is to resume in-person instruction with only the limited number of classrooms directly impacted by the fire remaining closed, this decision will depend on the results of our assessments and the recommendations of the professionals working with us. If the building cannot safely reopen, we may need to transition to a virtual instruction day.
West Bend High School remains closed at this time. We recognize the importance of providing families and staff with timely information so they can plan accordingly. We will communicate additional details, including a decision regarding tomorrow’s instructional schedule, as soon as more information is available.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We thank our families, staff, and community for their patience and understanding, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders and professionals assisting us.
Jenn Potter, Principal
Jen Wimmer, Superintendent
West Bend School District
West Bend School District
Initial report is below.
