Realistic Builders Honor Firefighters At The Replacement Home That Burned Down in 2024
Realistic Builders brought together the community through building a home and honoring the Caledonia Fire Department
Caledonia firefighters walked through a finished house on Sept. 14, 2026, in rooms that did not exist the last time they were on the property.
The house that stood there burned Dec. 12, 2024. The Caledonia Fire Department fought the fire, but the home was a total loss and the family living there lost their possessions. Thankfully, no one was hurt. No fire hydrants were nearby, so crews had to pump water to the scene.
Family, friends, neighbors and strangers raised money and donated goods while the family got back on their feet. Realistic Builders, a Racine general contractor, built the replacement house and finished it in 10 months. To mark the completion, the company hosted a thank-you breakfast for the firefighters who worked the fire.
The crew toured the house and ate with members of the Realistic Builders team. Those present included Fire Chief Walter Leininger, Battalion Chief Erich Roden and Battalion Chief Steve Ramlow.
Caledonia Fire Department members who fought the house fire posing with the Realistic Builders’ team
