West Allis apartment fire; 88th and Maple, partial roof collapse

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - A West Allis apartment fire Wednesday morning, June 21 left at least a dozen people without a home.

The West Allis Fire Department was called to the scene near 88th and Maple around 7 a.m. When they got there, flames were coming out of the second floor of the more than 100-year-old building. 

"Something told me to have her sleep in our room. I don’t know what it was," Katrina Williams said of her daughter. "I went and heard the alarm, and into her room, and went into the living room and fully engulfed."

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The fire started in Williams' apartment.

"We ran out the door. Banged on the door, everyone’s door – apartment – to get them out. We’re like a family," she said.

All eight units are now uninhabitable. The fire department said the fire got into the attic, and a portion of the roof collapsed.

"The initial first alarm fire brought around 29 firefighters to the scene. Then about 15 minutes after that this, escalated to a second alarm which then brings in a total of over 60 firefighters," said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Novak.

It took about 90 minutes to get the fire under control.

"We have defensive water tower operations, which were set up, which brought that fire under control," Novak said.

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There are things out of Williams' control: "Have to cancel our wedding. Everything."

Williams' wedding dress is likely destroyed, and her cat is missing. However, her daughter is safe and sound.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Red Cross said it is helping seven families – including 12 adults and five children.