What began as a festive Fourth of July getaway for a Wisconsin family of 19 tragically transformed into an unimaginable ordeal when the cabin they rented via Airbnb caught fire, resulting in the loss of six lives, including three children. The grieving family is now pursuing legal action against the home-sharing giant, accusing the company of failing to ensure the property was equipped with a sufficient number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, properly located and operational, according to the lawsuit.

Representing Stephen Kuehl, who mourns the loss of his wife Charis and their 5-year-old daughter Stella, attorneys argue that the cabin rented by the family did not adhere to the licensing or inspection standards required by Wisconsin and Juneau County regulations for rental properties.

The devastating fire engulfed the cabin near Necedah, Wisconsin, on Sunday, June 30, 2024, less than two days after the family had settled in, as detailed in their legal complaint. Among the victims were Stephen’s father-in-law, Steven Witte, as well as his adult daughter, Lydia Witte, and two granddaughters, aged 8 and 2.

During the initial hours of Saturday, June 29, 2024, the family enjoyed a day filled with relaxation, swimming, and socializing at the cabin, unaware of the impending tragedy. The complaint emphasizes how, after a day of joyous activities, they went to bed, completely unprepared for the catastrophe that would strike just hours later.

In heart-wrenching detail, the lawsuit describes how Charis Kuehl was jolted awake by the terrifying sight of flames rapidly consuming the cabin at around 2:30 a.m., while her family slept soundly. Her desperate cries of “Fire! Fire!” echo the horror of that night, marking the cruel end to what was meant to be a joyous family retreat.

“Fire! Fire!” Charis Kuehl screamed, per the complaint.

“As Stephen woke up and opened his eyes, he saw flames through the windows of the second-floor bedroom,” the complaint says. “Panicked, Stephen and Charis quickly got out of bed and gathered their three children. The youngest of the three [Stella] … ran to her mother, and Charis scooped her up. Stephen gathered [the two others] from the top bunk, and they quickly escaped from the bedroom, with Charis and [the youngest child] close behind.”

As Stephen and the two older kids descended the staircase to the cabin’s main floor, Charis — still holding Stella — elected to stay upstairs to wake up and warn others about the fire. Smoke was billowing through the front door and the front porch was ablaze, “rendering the Cabin’s back door the only possibly safe egress,” according to the complaint. Stephen and his children escaped out the back door, along with a number of other relatives.

“Soon after their exit, the fire overcame the front door and front windows, making the staircase landing functionally impassable for the others still stuck upstairs, including Charis and [Stella],” the complaint says. “Although Charis, [Stella], and the others desperately searched for an alternative escape route upstairs, the fire pursued them up the stairs and the smoke became overwhelming. Ultimately, five members of the Witte family were trapped upstairs by the fire and unable to escape.”

Stephen Kuehl alleges that none of his family members were woken up by the sounds of a fire or smoke detector. His attorneys say that upon further inspection, it was discovered that the cabin was not appropriately licensed or inspected.

“The cabin did not contain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that were sufficient in number, sufficiently located, and/or functioning — if any at all,” the complaint asserts. “A sufficient and functioning fire detection system would have saved the lives of each of [the family] members sleeping in the cabin that night. Mere seconds would have made a difference.”

The Keuls and Wittes are described by their attorneys, who are part of the Quarles Law Firm, as a “large extended family that makes a concerted effort to get together at least biennially for the purpose of connection and communion,” per the complaint.

Quarles sent out a press release last week saying three generations of Keul and Witte relatives had gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July.

“The tragedy could have been prevented if Airbnb ensured that properties it advertises, promotes and rents for use by the general public are appropriately licensed for rental and inspected by local authorities for fire safety,” the release says.

Stephen Kuehl’s lawsuit names Airbnb, insurance firm Generali U.S. Branch, Travelers Personal Insurance Company and the owners of the Airbnb property where the incident occurred as defendants. He is suing on behalf of himself and the Wittes.

“I am on a mission to do what I can to help prevent other families from experiencing what we did,” Stephen Kuehl, who is from Minnesota, said in a statement that accompanied his lawyers’ press release last week.

“I had hoped to work with Airbnb and advocate for policy changes behind closed doors, but Airbnb has been largely unresponsive to our inquiries,” Stephen Kuehl said. “Since they do not wish to hold themselves accountable in these matters, I filed a lawsuit in Juneau County Circuit Court so that the legal system can hold them accountable.”

Airbnb’s current policy does not require smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors to be inside their rental properties. The company’s website states that it is “on a mission to get alarms into as many listings as possible,” but it is not required.

“We strongly urge hosts to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in spaces that use fuel-burning appliances, test them regularly, and make sure their listing description is up to date,” the Airbnb website says.

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.