Fire at Kenosha's Civil War museum causes smoke, water damage

A fire at Kenosha's Civil War museum caused smoke and water damage.

Kenosha Fire Battalion Chief Matt Haerter says the fire appeared to be active for hours before a maintenance worker heard alarms go off around 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities believe spontaneously combusting oil rags may have sparked the fire.

The sprinkler system appeared to have been on for hours and was able to keep the fire under control before firefighters extinguished the fire.

Haerter says a significant amount of smoke was produced.

The museum was due to open to the public next week Saturday, with its grand opening in June.

The museum's director could not immediately be reached for comment.