Walker's Point fire: 23 people displaced, Red Cross says

MILWAUKEE - Nearly two dozen people were displaced after a residential fire near 10th and Pierce on Milwaukee's south side Saturday, Nov. 13.

According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, two structures were involved; it began in one building and spread to the second. The American Red Cross of Wisconsin told FOX6 News that 23 people – including seven children – were ultimately displaced from five different units.

No one was injured, officials said. It took fire personnel roughly 30 minutes to get the fire under control. It happened around 4:30 p.m.

Firefighters don't yet know what caused this fire to ignite on a street where neighbors are like family.

"We were all concerned about our neighbors, and we're just thankful that they're all OK and they had their pets, too," said Liz Kwitek. "Everybody got out."

Kiwtek said the sound of sirens from incoming fire trucks was enough to tell her something was wrong, so she stepped outside her home Saturday night and saw fire and billowing smoke across the street.

"It was very scary," she said. "Of course, we were all worried, you know."

Neighbors say the flames ignited in one home and jumped to the second home amid high winds. Fortunately, no one was injured.

"We provided assistance in the form of temporary financial assistance to help them get lodging, food, and then support to replace any medicine that was affected by the fire," said Robert Garrett, American Red Cross.

Garrett said now's a good time for all families to review their fire safety plan. Kwitek said she hopes help arrives soon for her neighbors.

"People just ran out with whatever they had on, didn't get a chance to grab their jackets or anything, so it's very, very heartbreaking," she said.

Friends of the displaced families have created a GoFundMe.com account to help them pay for essentials in the short term.

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