Fatal apartment fire in Milwaukee, cause under investigation | FOX6 Milwaukee

Fatal apartment fire in Milwaukee, cause under investigation

Milwaukee fire officials say a woman is dead following an apartment fire on the city's south side late Thursday night. It happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. 

Investigators found no working smoke detectors in the apartment building near 18th and National.

In response to this tragedy, firefighters handed out smoke alarms in this neighborhood to anyone who needed one. 

They say working smoke alarms could have saved a life today. 

"Unfortunately, we’re here because of the tragic event that happened in the building behind last night," said Assistant Chief Russell Rivard.

Apartment fire near 18th and National in Milwaukee

He says a working smoke alarm could have made the difference between life and death in Thursday night’s fire.

"They found a 59-year-old female who was deceased in the rear bedroom," he said.

According to Rivard… 

Crews were called to 18th and National Thursday night for reports of smoke.

"They were on scene within 3 minutes," he said.

The response soon escalated. 

The 59-year-old victim was on the second floor. 

Apartment fire near 18th and National in Milwaukee

"It’s someone’s mother that’s on the floor, someone’s sister that perished in this fire.  It’s horrible it can be prevented with something as easy a smoke detector being installed," said Rivard.

In response members of the Milwaukee Fire Department began to canvass the neighborhood… 

Passing out smoke alarms to anyone who needed one. 

Fire officials say anyone at home in need of one can also call the department and request one…free of charge. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.      

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips App.    

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