Apartment fire displaces dozens of South Milwaukee residents

SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A fire at a South Milwaukee apartment complex Monday, Feb. 17, displaced residents across 48 units, according to fire officials. The timetable for when residents will be able to return home has not yet been released.

South Milwaukee firefighters responded around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, to 3411 S. Chicago Ave., where flames were showing at a first-floor window of a 16-unit building connected to two additional apartment buildings, fire officials say. Crews were able to contain most of the damage to the apartment where the fire started, with some smoke and heat extending to the first-floor hallway and one second-floor apartment.

No injuries were reported. A cat was revived with oxygen and returned to its owner. A turtle found during the search was relocated to a safe area of the building.

The fire knocked out power, heat and fire alarm protection throughout the complex, leaving the building uninhabitable, according to fire officials. Seven residents are receiving Red Cross shelter at Holler Park, with the rest finding other accommodations.

One of those residents is Georgiana, who told CBS 58 she's lived at the complex for a "pretty long" time.

"They came knocking on the door and the alarms were going off, and so then I didn't know which way to go through," Georgiana said. "I didn't have a sweater on, had to put my coat on and my shoes, I don't think I had a winter hat... it's sad for the people."

Jennifer Warren, the regional communications director for the Red Cross, said the shelter will remain open on an as-needed basis. 

"They have a warm place to stay, a warm meal, water, any type of hygiene items that they may need," Warren said.

The cause is under investigation.