Lincoln Avenue School fire ruled accidental, caused by chemical-soaked rags

MILWAUKEE - Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, and MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius on Monday, Aug. 10 provided an update on Lincoln Avenue School. 

Cause and origin of fire

What we know:

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski stated that the fire at Lincoln Avenue School originated from chemical-soaked cleaning rags that had been discarded in a second-floor garbage can.

"We find that nobody acted with intent or purpose to cause this fire to occur. In plain speak, we have absolutely no evidence to suggest this was an arson fire," said Lipski." 

Chief Lipski said surveillance video from inside Lincoln Avenue School helped investigators piece together how the fire started. Lipski said the fire started on the second floor after custodial staff placed chemical-soaked rags into a garbage can, which ultimately triggered spontaneous combustion. 

"Sadly, as is often the case, there was human error involved. Given that it is the summer break, the custodial staff at Lincoln Avenue School was working tirelessly to get the classrooms completely emptied out, the floors cleaned and waxed, and to make any repairs to prepare the school for its next year of students," Lipski said. The video shows this process, mundane though it might seem, and documents the chain of events quite well. Desks, bookshelves, tables and chairs were moved out into the hallways, custodial personnel moving back and forth in and out of the classrooms, utilizing cleaning and or waxing solvents and disposable rags. These rags, soaked with liquid, are then placed into a plastic garbage can and left there at the end of each day's work."

Chief Lipski noted that the video shows a wisp of smoke rising from the top of the second-floor trash can roughly 30 minutes before the Department of Emergency Communications received the first 911 calls.

"The footage of the day's activity is clear, showing the chemical-soaked rags being placed into the garbage can, where small chemical reactions, which produce heat as a byproduct, can occur," said Lipski.  "Other rags on top of these act to confine the resulting heat, resulting in further increases in temperature, and on and on it goes, ultimately resulting in spontaneous combustion."

MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says they've already changed procedures to prevent this from happening again. 

"We worked immediately with our facilities team to provide training and updates to our procedures to reduce the risk of anything of this happening again," said Cassellius, "Specifically, we retain staff on the handling of storage and disposal of rags containing oils or other chemicals. These rags must be placed in approved metal containers at the end of every shift."

Watch news conference

Demolition update

What's next:

Additionally, city and school leaders detailed plans for the building's demolition, outlined support resources for financial recovery, and announced the temporary relocation plan for K3–5th grade students to Casimir Pulaski High School for the upcoming school year.

"We've been watering the site regularly to prevent any hot spots from occurring, and we have conducted weekly air quality tests which have shown the air around the site is safe," said MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius.

MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius on Monday they will be requesting bids from companies that would be their partners in demolishing the school building.

"We received an initial insurance payment last month that will fund the demolition," said Cassellius. "Once a vendor is selected, demolition would begin in the following weeks."

Milwaukee Public Schools is relocating Lincoln Avenue School within Pulaski High School (2500 W. Oklahoma Ave.) for the upcoming school year. 

"All of Lincoln Avenue's current programming and student support will continue to be available at Pulaski High School," said Cassellius "This includes transportation for those who need it."

School supply drive

What you can do:

Milwaukee police are asking you to help students, staff, and families impacted by the Lincoln Avenue School fire by donating to a school supply drive.

MPD District 2 is hosting a "Back to School Supply Drive" which runs through Aug. 24.

Police are asking for much-needed school supplies and other essential items to help students, teachers, and staff as they recover and prepare for the upcoming school year.

Donation boxes will be placed in the front lobby at every MPD district building. If your organization has items collected in bulk outside your local district, contact MPD District 2 community liaison officers for pickups.

You can also donate directly via the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation website.

If you have any questions, contact PO Dellian Mendez Santiago or PO Carissa Sanchez at D2_CLO@milwaukee.gov or call 414-935-7228.

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June 30 fire

The backstory:

More than 100 firefighters responded to the five-alarm fire back on Tuesday, June 30.

Milwaukee fire officials say the building is a total loss after both the roof and floor collapsed.

Milwaukee Public Schools officials say the school didn't have sprinklers.

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