Milwaukee fire; 4 homes burned near 35th and Lloyd

MILWAUKEE - A massive fire near 35th and Lloyd on Milwaukee's north side on Friday morning spread to a total of four structures – one of them abandoned. 

The smoke from the fire could be seen from a FOX6 News tower camera miles away. 

"From the corner to around the block, all you saw was black smoke coming up," said Shanel Johnson, neighbor. "The whole block was on fire – that was what went through my head."

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Milwaukee fire officials do not know how it started in an abandoned home. But they do know how it spread. 

"I think the wind is what got it going the engine company thought they had it with an inch and ¾ they forced the door and by the time they turned around it introduced the flow path that wind drove that fire next thing you know it took off down the hallway and here we are," said Milwaukee Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Williamson. 

Milwaukee house fire near 35th and Lloyd

Firefighters waged a battle on all fronts. 

"We saw them go inside when the place was burning the saws came out, they were putting ladders on top of roofs. It was crazy, it was crazy," Johnson said. 

Milwaukee house fire near 35th and Lloyd

The damage is extensive. Two of the homes are a total loss. Nobody was hurt. 

A total of five people have requested assistance from the Red Cross.