Milwaukee apartment building without heat, residents forced to leave
Milwaukee apartment pipes burst, loses heat; residents displaced
42 adults and six children. Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) tells FOX6 that's how many people they got out of an apartment building with burst pipes and no heat.
MILWAUKEE - 45 adults and six children. Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) tells FOX6 that's how many people they got out of an apartment building with burst pipes and no heat on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Outside the apartment complex near 29th and Wisconsin, those residents were forced to leave because of burst pipes and no heat.
FOX6 can confirm that those residents are safe. DNS says they all got to a hotel or are with other family members.
Milwaukee County records show Berrada Properties owns the apartment building.
Apartment complex near 29th and Wisconsin
It was evacuated this afternoon (Jan. 22) as DNS called it a "life safety issue."
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They say they got reports of no heat, no water, and burst pipes two days previously.
Milwaukee apartment pipe burst, no heat; tenants evacuated
At least 42 residents have been forced to evacuate an apartment near 29th and Wisconsin after a pipe burst in the building, and the building itself has no heat during the bitter cold temps.
DNS verified the complaint and issued a 48-hour emergency order which expired on Thursday.
The issues weren't fixed, and they started getting residents out.
What they're saying:
"Life safety issues are too grave to allow people to stay," said Jeremy McGovern, a Milwaukee DNS spokesperson.
DNS put placards on the building, a temporary determination that it is not safe to live there. McGovern said placarding is fairly new, and this was the first "massive" building impacted. DNS also said, while not conventional, they are pooling resources to get residents into hotels.
DNS placard
"Unfortunately, there's nothing within the law that would allow us to force the landlord to find additional housing or alternative housing for their tenants," said McGovern.
No heat at Milwaukee apartment, interview with DNS official
The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services on Thursday said residents are being forced to leave a near west side apartment building due to a "life safety issue" that includes no heat, no water and a burst pipe.
FOX6 saw several families walking in and out with their personal belongings. FOX6 also got a look inside before being asked to leave by someone representing the property. A car in the parking garage was covered in ice, and small icicles had formed on the ceiling.
Most of the people that live here are Spanish-speaking. One woman told FOX6 it was at least four days she had been left without a working heater.
She relied on lots of blankets and a space heater just to get through the nights.
Scene near 29th and Wisconsin
"Well, it’s bad because we’re working people. We come back from work to this freezing cold in our homes. And it’s bad for our health," said Bianca Rivera (translated).
One of the main concerns several people out here were…where would they go?
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Milwaukee County warming centers, cold weather resources
As dangerously cold weather grips the area, Milwaukee County officials on Thursday highlighted the warming center and safety resources available.
DNS and Alderwoman Sharlen Moore say the city made arrangements for them to stay at a hotel.
An MCTS bus came to pick up some people who needed transportation to that hotel.
FOX6 has reached out to Berrada Properties but has not heard back.
The Source: FOX6 News requested information from the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.