MILWAUKEE — A fifth person has died following an intense fire that engulfed a four-story apartment building in Milwaukee on Mother's Day.
Details about the victim were not immediately released Monday by the Milwaukee Fire Department. Further details about the blaze also were not released.
The fire was reported about 8 a.m. Sunday at the 85-unit building. Officials said some residents were forced to jump to escape the flames and smoke.
Ladder trucks were used to rescue other residents from windows while some firefighters inside the burning building crawled on hands and knees to get people out, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said Sunday. About 30 people were rescued.
Authorities have not said how the fire might have started.
Four people died Sunday. The fifth fatality was among four others who were critically injured. At least one still remains in critical condition. Several other residents were treated for lesser injuries. The Milwaukee Fire Department said among the deceased was a 76-year-old, a 67-year-old, a 62-year-old, a 40-year-old and an unidentified victim.
Lipski said the building did not have a sprinkler system and was built in 1968, predating a law that would have required one, according to the fire chief.
“If we had sprinklers in the building, we would have stopped the fire very, very small," he said. "We would not of had to have people jumping out of windows."
Several other residents were treated for lesser injuries in the fire. The blaze rendered the building uninhabitable, displacing approximately 114 residents, according to the Red Cross.
Some residents are staying with friends and family. The Red Cross said it's assisting nearly 40 residents with temporary shelter. Since the organization got the call, they have been all-hands on deck trying to get people what they need.
“We had 39 people here last night, which in my time being here, is the most that I’ve seen in a shelter," said Jennifer Warren, American Red Cross of Wisconsin Regional communications director.
Emergency operators received calls that people were trapped and jumping to escape. The first firefighters to arrive were “far, far outmatched” by intense flames, Lipski said.
“When I got up and grabbed a couple of things to head, I saw a cloud of smoke, so I didn’t want to take no chance," said Johnny Grove, Highland Court resident. "So, I just pushed the screen out stood up on top of the roof until the fire truck got there and put the ladder out. Then I just came down.”
Authorities did not immediately release the identities or ages of the victims. Lipski said the fire began in a common area and spread to multiple floors.
Investigators were on the scene Monday collecting evidence and trying to determine how the fire started. Milwaukee Fire Department said an investigation into the fire is ongoing and is getting assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations and ATF.
“We stand with our Milwaukee community in this time of grief and healing,” MFD said in a Facebook post.
MFD said anyone with information or video showing the scene prior to the department's arrial should contact the Milwaukee Police Department Detectives Bureau/Major Crimes at 414-935-7360. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.
The Red Cross is providing comfort, food and more to anyone who was displaced by the fire at 5151 S. Sixth Street in Milwaukee. If you need assistance call 1-800-RED CROSS.
