Three firefighters injured battling apartment fire on Milwaukee's north side

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Fire crews were called out to the scene of an apartment fire on Tuesday night, December 2nd in the neighborhood near Sherman and Villard on Milwaukee's north side. The call for this fire came in around 10:10 p.m.

When crews arrived on scene, they encountered heavy fire on the first floor and reports of people trapped on the second floor.

At that time, crews began a primary search of the second floor, but didn't find anyone. While searching the second floor, three firefighters became trapped by the flames and had to jump out a window. All three firefighters were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Deputy Chief Brian Smith told FOX6 that the firefighters sustained second and third degree burns along with minor cuts and lacerations. No one else was hurt. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Patrick Green, who lived on the second floor says the scene was chaotic.



"The flames just shot everywhere, how that  happened I have no idea," he said.

He woke his stepson up and they jumped out of a window to safety.

"We could have really died in that apartment last night," said Green.

Firefighters say the building is a total loss. The Red Cross is helping eight adults and one child who were displaced.

"They kept me warm and gave me a blanket. That`s really sad it`s all I have," said Green.

The firefighters were released from the hospital early in the morning on December 3rd. They spent the day at home, recovering with their families.