Milwaukee U-Haul storage facility fire; crews battle 5-alarm blaze

Crews battle 5-alarm storage facility fire in Milwaukee

Multiple Milwaukee firefighters responded to a large commercial fire Wednesday night, Jan. 21, near Barclay and Orchard at a U-Haul Moving & Storage facility in Walker’s Point.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee firefighters responded to a large commercial fire Wednesday night, Jan. 21, at a U-Haul Moving & Storage facility in Walker’s Point.

Storage facility fire

What we know:

Milwaukee Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Schuyler Belott said the call came in shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday to the U-Haul Moving & Storage facility near Barclay and Orchard.

A FOX6 News crew on scene observed firefighters working to contain and extinguish the fire. Heavy flames could be seen coming from the building.

Scene of fire near Barclay and Orchard, Milwaukee

According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, cold temperatures and wind made the fire attack more challenging. In addition, many void-spaces within the buildings made it difficult to find hidden fires.

MFD companies remained on the scene Thursday extinguishing spot fires. 

Scene of fire near Barclay and Orchard, Milwaukee

Big picture view:

Fire officials said the size of the building and the intensity of the fire prompted a significant response early on.

A total of 37 first responder units were dispatched to the scene. 

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Belott reported no injuries and said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Woman speaks after losing things in the fire

Local perspective:

Woman with items inside storage facility talks amid ongoing Milwaukee fire

Dozens of Milwaukee firefighters responded to a large commercial fire Wednesday night in Walker’s Point.

Fighting the fire

Dig deeper:

MFD said the fire was upgraded to a fifth alarm around 10 p.m. A MABAS request went out for a task force from outside the county.

The fire was reported "under control" just before 11:30 p.m.

Fire officials said crews initially attempted an interior attack but later switched to a defensive strategy, using water towers to control the flames from outside the building.

Photo gallery

FOX6 News will provide updates as more information becomes available.