Updated: Jan. 19, 2026

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee police say a 43-year-old man was arrested Friday, in connection to the fire. 

Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County DA's office. 

Posted: Jan. 16, 2026

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee police a fire they say was intentionally started inside an apartment building Friday, Jan. 16. 

Crews responded to the building just after 6:30 a.m. near Loomis and W. Fardale Avenue. 

Five people were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to MPD: a 27-year-old with life-threatening injuries, a 64-year-old and 18-year-old with serious but non-fatal injuries, and a 47-year-old and 9-year-old with non-fatal injuries. 

"We knocked the fire down pretty quickly, rescued a bunch of people from the second-floor windows and we also had a couple people jumping from the windows," MFD Battalion Chief Andrew Vossekuil said. 

Police say they're looking for a known suspect. 

Crystal Rodriguez lives a couple buildings down from where the fire started and woke up to screaming on Friday morning. 

"That was terrifying, those we're terrifying screams," Rodriguez said. "There were people jumping out of the front window and this guy caught this 9-year-old girl."

Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS.