Milwaukee authorities reported that a fire at a multistory apartment building on May 11 resulted in at least four fatalities and injuries to four others. First responders arrived at the four-story building in the western part of the city around 7:45 a.m. local time, with approximately 22 fire engines and eight ladder trucks from various units responding to the scene. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski stated that about 30 individuals were rescued, some by ladders and others by firefighters. Tragically, four people lost their lives in the fire, and four others were in critical condition. The fire seemed to have originated in a common area and spread across multiple floors and apartments. The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
While emergency response units left the scene by 1 p.m., Red Cross workers and police remained on-site to assist displaced residents with necessities. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with the fire department requesting the state fire marshal’s visit to the location. The building, constructed in 1968, did not have sprinklers or standpipes, impacting the survivability of occupants once a fire broke out, according to Lipski. City records indicated a prior violation notice related to sprinklers in the parking area, with subsequent inspections showing unresolved issues until an abatement was recorded in April 2025.
The building is now deemed uninhabitable, and the Red Cross is aiding the hundreds of displaced individuals. The community faces challenges in the aftermath of the fire, with residents expressing difficulties due to the loss of their homes.
The apartment building was surrounded by locks, with police blocking off the area using caution tape. Displaced residents, seated on grass and blankets, contacted relatives and tried to come to terms with what had occurred earlier in the day. Red Cross staff distributed blankets, water, bags of chips, and sandwiches to those in need. Bethesda Church of God in Christ, located across the street, offered temporary refuge to residents, providing access to bathrooms for the first time since morning and offering water and snacks. Pastor Hosea Bates described the prevailing sentiment among residents as one of devastation, with many unsure if they would be able to salvage any belongings or how they would cope in the days ahead. Bates mentioned that the church’s doors would remain open if needed by the Red Cross. Residents were seen boarding city buses along the sidewalks, although many expressed uncertainty about their destination, whether it be a hotel or shelter. “This is an incredibly challenging situation. I have no idea where I’ll be tonight. I don’t even know where I’m going today,” stated Pharoah Morris, who had moved into the building in February. This article was originally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reporting on the tragic Milwaukee apartment fire that claimed the lives of at least four individuals.
