Milwaukee authorities reported that a fire at a multistory apartment building on May 11 resulted in at least four fatalities and four injuries. First responders arrived at the scene in the western part of the city around 7:45 a.m. local time. About 22 fire engines and eight ladder trucks, including units from neighboring areas, responded to the fire. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski mentioned that approximately 30 individuals were rescued by firefighters or through ladders, with some residents resorting to jumping from the structure to escape. The fire seemed to have originated in a common area, spreading across multiple floors and apartments. While four individuals lost their lives, their identities have not been disclosed. Four others were critically injured, and it remains uncertain how many sustained minor injuries or the cause of the fire. The injured were promptly taken to nearby hospitals. As investigations continue, Red Cross personnel and law enforcement remained on-site to assist affected residents. The building, which dates back to 1968, did not have sprinkler systems in place, impacting its fire survivability. The structure did have sprinklers in a parking area on the first floor, but not in the residential sections. The building had received a code violation notice related to its sprinkler system in 2024, with subsequent inspections indicating a failure to address the issue until it was resolved in April. The premises are now deemed uninhabitable, with the Red Cross aiding the displaced individuals.
The apartment building was surrounded by police-locked gates and caution tape. Displaced residents sat on the grass, making phone calls and trying to come to terms with the events of earlier hours. Red Cross volunteers distributed blankets, water, chips, and sandwiches on the scene. Across the street, Bethesda Church of God in Christ served as a temporary shelter, offering restroom facilities and providing water and snacks to residents. Pastor Hosea Bates expressed that the prevailing emotion among residents was one of devastation, with many uncertain about the future. City buses were on hand to transport residents, though many were unsure of their destination, unsure if it would be a hotel or shelter. One resident, Pharoah Morris, who had moved into the building in February, shared his uncertainty about where he would be spending the night. The church’s doors would remain open to assist the Red Cross if needed, as mentioned by Pastor Bates. This article was originally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reporting on the tragic Milwaukee apartment fire that claimed at least four lives.
