Category Archives: Fire

Update: Check out coverage from WISN. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire Friday night 1212 Lake Drive in South Milwaukee.

South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter has more details …

At approximately 11:31 PM Friday evening, South Milwaukee Police Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from the occupant of 1212 Lake Drive reporting a possible fire in the walls of her upstairs bathroom.  The occupant and her Grandson self-evacuated from the residence prior to arrival of SMFD.  Upon arrival of SMFD crews, heavy smoke was issuing from the front door of the dwelling so the level of alarm was immediately upgraded to a Working Still (equivalent to a first alarm assignment) and mutual aid companies from our neighboring communities responded with the exception of the St. Francis Fire Department who was not available due to a simultaneous call in their community.

Since reports were that all occupants of the structure had evacuated, crews deployed hoselines to the second floor and discovered fire burning through the wall and ceiling area of the bathroom.  A primary search of the building was conducted by the first arriving mutual aid company.  Upon attacking the fire and pulling more lath and plaster to check for fire extension, it was discovered that the fire had progressed considerably, to the extent that it had completely burned through several ceiling joists and wall studs.  Extensive overhaul was necessary and crews were rotated through to expose all areas of possible fire extension.  The fire was declared under control at approximately 12:14 AM.  The last apparatus cleared the scene at 2:23 AM.

Our Fire Investigator is currently on the scene attempting to determine the origin and cause of the fire.  Dollar loss is not available at this time, but damage was extensive to the second floor.  A great effort was put forth to cover furniture and other valuables on the first floor with plastic tarps to limit the amount of water damage.

During the fire, an Oak Creek Fire Department Paramedic Unit had to cover a call for chest pain at Southtowne Village Apartments since there were no SMFD personnel available.

A boy suffered burns to his fingers in Thursday afternoon’s apartment fire at 1231 Milwaukee Ave.

Here is the update from South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter …

At approximately 2:50PM, SMFD received a call from SMPD Dispatch of a cell phone call from the apartment building at 1231 Milwaukee Avenue reporting a fire in an apartment.  Upon arrival of SMFD units, SMPD officers were evacuating the residents and reported one juvenile male with burns to the fingertips of both hands.  This patient was treated at the scene and transported to St. Luke’s – South Shore Hospital by ambulance for further treatment.  SMFD units gained access to the 2nd floor and encountered heavy smoke conditions and a well-involved fire in one apartment, extending to the common hallway and attic area.  Extra assistance was immediately requested from our mutual aid partners and additional units arrived and were put to work. One apartment towards the rear of the building suffered extensive damage with heavy smoke damage to most of the second floor and minor water damage to the first floor apartment and business.  The fire was kept from extending into the attic.  The origin of the fire appears to be in the 2nd floor apartment with the cause still under investigation.  All of the occupants were accounted for and the Red Cross Disaster Team was on the scene providing them with assistance.  The Building Inspector was requested to the scene as overall damage to the 2nd floor is extensive.  No other injuries were reported.

h/t South Milwaukee Fire Department for the photos

A person suffered burns to their hands after an apartment building caught fire Thursday afternoon at 1231 Milwaukee Ave. in South Milwaukee.

TMJ4 is reporting nine people were displaced due to the fire.

I’ll post more details when I get them … and please keep those families, and our firefighters, in your prayers.