South Milwaukee House Fire Reported

Update: Here is the Fox 6 story.

There was a house fire overnight at 515 Madison Ave. that left the second floor of a multifamily residence there extensively damaged. No one was hurt.

Firefighters from the Cudahy, St. Francis, Oak Creek and the 128th Air Refueling Wing fought the blaze, which also included this scary scene, as described by Acting South Milwauke Fire Chief Joe Knitter …

Fire crews arrived and encountered heavy fire on the 2nd floor, rear balcony extending into the second floor apartment and attic area. At the same time, the aluminum electrical service had shorted due to the fire and the entire building (gutters, siding, etc.) was energized and arcing.

Here is Acting Chief Knitter’s full description … 

A resident at 505 Madison Avenue was in their rear yard at approximately 2:35 AM and smelled smoke. While looking for the source, they discovered the rear porch burning at 515 Madison. They immediately went to knock on the doors and awoke the occupants allowing them to self-evacuate. Neither tenant knew anything of the fire and left the dwelling safely. Fire crews arrived and encountered heavy fire on the 2nd floor, rear balcony extending into the second floor apartment and attic area. At the same time, the aluminum electrical service had shorted due to the fire and the entire building (gutters, siding, etc.) was energized and arcing. Lt. Dan Lang, as the Shift Officer, upgraded the level of response to a Working Still which brings in our mutual aid partners from Cudahy, St. Francis, Oak Creek and the 128th ANG. SMFD crews cautiously extended a hoseline between the houses to the rear yard and knocked down a bulk of the fire while additional crews extended hoselines into both the first and second floors through the front entrance. A primary search was completed to assure all occupants were accounted for – which they were. The American red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced occupants. Damage to the second floor is extensive. Damage to the first floor is limited to minor smoke damage and moderate water damage. No injuries were reported.

The area of origin is the 2nd floor balcony and the cause remains undetermined at this time.

I’ll keep you posted.