United States (Wisconsin) - A fire Saturday morning caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the Genesee Center, S47 W30760 Highway 59 in Genesee, a North Prairie fire official says. County and state records connect the property to state Rep. Scott Newcomer (R-Pewaukee). A Waukesha County Sheriff's deputy saw smoke coming from the area of Highways 59 and 83 about 5:25 a.m. Saturday and then found the fire in the Genesee Center commercial building, the Sheriff's Department said.

The strip mall includes Lake Country Pool & Spa, a hair studio and a woodworking shop, said Brian Taylor, assistant chief of the North Prairie Fire Department.

Fire departments from North Prairie, Dousman, the City of Delafield, Oconomowoc, Wales/Genesee, Town of Waukesha, Mukwonago, Eagle and Tess Corners assisted in extinguishing the fire, the Sheriff's Department said. The North Prairie department is in charge at the scene.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation. Fire officials were still on the scene at 2 p.m. Saturday, but they declined comment.

Waukesha County online property tax records show that Genesee Center is owned by S.A. Newcomer and Associates. Rep. Newcomer is listed as the registered agent for S.A. Newcomer and Associates, according to Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions online records.

Newcomer could not be reached for comment, but Journal Sentinel columnist Daniel Bice quoted him in August as saying he was part-owner of Lake Country Pools.

Written by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel