Faulty dehumidifier catches fire in basement

On Friday, February 20, 2026, at approximately 6:23 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting fire alarms sounding and smoke coming from a residence at N9577 Van Dyne Road in the Town of Friendship.

The caller, a neighbor, had received a phone call from the homeowner after the homeowner checked his security cameras and observed smoke inside the residence. The neighbor went to the home, confirmed the smoke alarms were sounding and that smoke was present, and was able to open a door and safely remove the dogs from the residence.

Fire crews from Van Dyne Fire Department and North Fond du Lac Fire Department responded to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke inside the residence and determined a dehumidifier had caught fire and melted down to its coils. There was no extension of the fire beyond the appliance.

The basement sustained soot and minor smoke damage, while the main living area experienced only minor smoke exposure. The property owner, Brandon Huffman, was not home at the time of the fire.

Following an initial investigation, the fire is believed to have originated from a faulty dehumidifier. The fire is not considered suspicious.

No civilians, emergency personnel, or animals were injured.