MILWAUKEE — On Mother’s Day, a devastating fire broke out in a four-story apartment building in Milwaukee, forcing residents to leap from windows to escape the inferno. The tragedy claimed four lives and left four others critically injured. The fire escalated rapidly, overwhelming the initial response from firefighters, according to officials.
Ladder trucks were swiftly brought into action to rescue residents from the windows of the burning building. Firefighters bravely crawled on hands and knees to navigate through the structure and rescue occupants. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski reported that roughly 30 people were saved thanks to these efforts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation with authorities yet to determine how it started. Fire Chief Lipski highlighted that the building, constructed in 1968, lacked a sprinkler system, as it was built before such measures were mandated by law. “If the building had sprinklers, the fire would have been contained much sooner, preventing people from having to jump out of windows,” Lipski explained.
The blaze, which erupted shortly before 8 a.m., resulted in minor injuries to several other residents. The 85-unit building has been deemed uninhabitable, leaving around 200 individuals displaced.
Among the survivors was James Rubinstein, who recounted his harrowing escape. He reportedly jumped to safety, descending to the ground floor with his cat secured in a backpack amidst the overwhelming smoke.
Emergency operatives were inundated with frantic calls, reporting that occupants were trapped and resorting to jumping to safety. The first responders faced a daunting challenge due to the severity of the flames, as described by Lipski.
The identities and ages of the deceased have not been disclosed. Fire Chief Lipski mentioned that the blaze originated in a common area and spread across multiple floors.
Eddie Edwards, another resident, shared his experience of fleeing the fire by jumping out. “All I thought about was getting away,” he told a local news station, emphasizing the urgency and fear felt during the ordeal.