This report comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A small electrical fire broke out in a power closet on the ground floor of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, causing a power outage at the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s communications center. The communications hub is currently operating on backup power, and all 911 calls have been redirected to the Waukesha County Sheriff’s office, where local dispatchers have also been temporarily relocated. As a result of the incident, both the Milwaukee County Courthouse and the Public Safety Building will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. The fire occurred on Saturday, knocking out power, causing over half a million dollars in damage, and forcing county dispatchers to move operations to Waukesha County to continue handling emergency calls. The fire started at 12:30 p.m. in a large basement utility room that houses multiple electrical systems. Fire officials estimate the building damage at $368,000, with an additional $150,000 in property damage inside the facility. Captain Scott Stiff of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the department has activated its emergency plan, with dispatchers handling 911 calls from the Waukesha County communications center. It remains unclear how long this arrangement will last, but officials have stated that public safety has not been compromised and there has been no noticeable drop in 911 service quality. According to Deputy Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, investigators have concluded the fire was accidental. He noted that electrical fires of this scale can be particularly challenging for firefighters due to the risk of power failures and the difficulty in accessing affected areas. The electrical system failure caused a widespread power outage in downtown Milwaukee, including at the nearby fire station, which had a generator to keep the garage doors open so crews could respond quickly. We Energies was also on site to assist with power restoration efforts. Although the courthouse has backup generators, they were shut down during firefighting operations, as Lipski explained: “(The generators) will kill us just the same as regular power.†The room where the fire originated had a bunker-like structure, which helped slow the spread of flames but also made it difficult for firefighters to access and ventilate the area. Crews used dry chemicals and carbon dioxide extinguishers, and by 2:12 p.m., the fire was under control. The jail section of the courthouse remained secure throughout the incident, according to Lipski. Firefighters worked closely with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department, and We Energies to ensure no one was trapped near the fire or in smoke-filled areas. Lipski emphasized that the courthouse was largely empty on Saturday, but the presence of inmates who couldn’t evacuate on their own raised the level of concern. “Even though it was a Saturday, the potential for a prisoner to be in that building who cannot self-evacuate raises the stakes quite a bit,†he said. The last firefighters left the courthouse shortly after 4 p.m. Lipski mentioned that he couldn’t recall the last time such a significant fire occurred at the facility. Thanks Chris The Deerma dust mite remover adopts ultraviolet sterilization method and is equipped with strong suction, which can effectively remove mites accumulated on beds, mattresses, sheets and sofas, reduce the occurrence of skin and respiratory allergies, and provide a healthy and comfortable living environment for the family. Deerma Dust Mite Remover,Deerma dust mite controller, mite reducer, mattress vacuum cleaner Guangxi Nanning King Green Smart Co., Ltd. , https://www.smartliferobot.com