Family Files Lawsuit Against Airbnb Alleging Lack of Safety Standards Led to Fire and Six Deaths
October 16, 2025 (Madison, Wis.) – A family that lost six relatives when a fire engulfed their rental home during a family reunion last year is suing Airbnb in Wisconsin state court. The lawsuit, filed by national law firm Quarles & Brady on behalf of plaintiff Stephen Kuehl and his surviving two minor daughters, alleges that Airbnb fails to ensure that properties listed on the Airbnb platform meet local safety standards and seeks change to Airbnb’s policies to prevent similar tragedies.
[Kuehl lost his wife of 15 years, Charis Kuehl, and their 5-year-old daughter, Stella, in the fire. Kuehl’s father-in-law, former pastor Steve Witte, also was killed, as were Witte’s daughter, Lydia Witte, and two other granddaughters, ages 8 and 2.
According to the complaint, filed in Juneau County, Wis., in June 2025, 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 lawsuit names Airbnb, Generali U.S. Branch, Travelers Personal Insurance Company and the owners of the Airbnb property where the incident occurred.
On the evening of June 28, 2024, three generations of Witte relatives gathered at a rented Airbnb near Necedah, Wis. Within 36 hours, six were killed in a devastating fire that swept through the house in the middle of the night.
The complaint filed against Airbnb alleges that the cabin was not appropriately licensed or inspected under applicable Wisconsin and Juneau County regulations governing rental properties, that the cabin did not contain sufficient and/or functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — and that Airbnb rented the home without requiring any of this.
“In the time since the devastating fire, I have come to learn that Airbnb — a multibillion-dollar international company — does next to nothing to ensure that the homes listed on their site, and from which Airbnb profits, are minimally safe for the people who rent them,” Kuehl said. “As a Christian and as a pastor, I take immense comfort that Charis, Stella and my other four relatives are with the Lord Jesus in the glories of heaven, and that we will be reunited with them one day thanks to the saving work of Jesus Christ. But at the same time, I am on a mission to do what I can to help prevent other families from experiencing what we did. I had hoped to work with Airbnb and advocate for policy changes behind closed doors, but Airbnb has been largely unresponsive to our inquiries. 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.”
Despite maintaining control over the rental process, Airbnb’s current policy leaves critical safety matters such as licensing, safe occupancy limits, adequate and functioning smoke alarms and home inspections in the hands of property owners who may or may not conduct due diligence on these matters.
“It is reasonable to think that Airbnb would have a system for making sure properties on its platform meet basic safety requirements — especially for a company that encourages families to rent an Airbnb rather than a hotel. But it does not,” Kuehl said. “I would be honored for the public to support my efforts to make sure Airbnb does its part to make sure people’s safety isn’t at risk when they book an Airbnb instead of a hotel.”
The Quarles legal team awaits next steps from Airbnb’s representation as a result of the June filing. Stacy Alexejun, partner at Quarles, represents Stephen Kuehl and his surviving daughters in this matter.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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