Milwaukee fire update: What's burning in West Allis? Residents report explosion
Several residents took to social media to report hearing an explosion shortly before the fire was seen.
On Thursday morning, a large fire broke out at the under-construction West Allis-West Milwaukee Department of Public Works building in West Allis, Wisconsin. Emergency services confirmed that the blaze was a three-alarm fire, and all personnel were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Witnesses described the scene as alarming, with many reporting thick black smoke and flames emanating from the building. Elijah Fox, a witness, stated that the situation was unclear, describing it as potentially resembling a house fire or car fire. Christopher Cich echoed this, noting the immense plume of smoke rising from the top of the building.
Initial reports suggested an explosion might have preceded the fire, leading to panic among residents. One resident reported an explosion near 54th and Rogers, causing authorities to shut down streets in the area. Social media posts from residents confirmed the fire's proximity, with several mentioning the alarming smoke seen from various locations across the city.
The West Allis Assistant Fire Chief, Armando Suarez, expressed that the firefighting crews responded swiftly, crediting their efforts for keeping the incident from escalating further. Despite the rapid response, the sheer size and intensity of the blaze posed a significant challenge, resulting in a three-alarm fire response.
Residents expressed concerns about the construction of such a massive building with potential safety issues, including alarm systems that did not function as expected. The incident has raised questions about the safety standards and procedures during the construction of large buildings in the area.
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