Suspected arson at Milwaukee apartment complex leaves 3 injured, tenants of 80 units displaced
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As of Friday, Jan. 16, a 48-year-old woman was arrested in the arson investigation at Hampton Gardens Apartment.
Criminal charges are being referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --Milwaukee police say they are investigating an arson reported Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 1:37 p.m. at an apartment building near 22nd and Hampton.
Police said a suspect intentionally set a fire inside an apartment, damaging several units. An 81-year-old was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. A 75-year-old and a 67-year-old were also transported for treatment of nonfatal injuries.
Milwaukee Police Department said a known suspect is being sought.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (414) 935-7360. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-8477 or the P3 Tips online service.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Residents of 80 apartment units are displaced and seven people were taken to the hospital after an apartment fire near 22nd and Hampton Tuesday afternoon. The 911 call came in at 1:37 p.m.
According to Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, crews arriving on scene found several people hanging from windows on the second and third floors of the 230-unit complex.
Residents said they saw people jumping from the windows. Another said he lives on the third floor, and between the smoke and heat, it was difficult to get out.
Chief Lipski said an elderly woman was rescued and CPR was performed before she was transported to the hospital. Six other residents were also taken to hospitals with injuries he described as less critical.
The chief said code dictates any building built in 1973 onward needs to have fire sprinklers, which make a lifesaving difference. But this complex, built in 1979, doesn't have any.
"How could they put in 230 residential units, in 1979, without sprinklers?" Chief Lipski said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. "How could one make that decision or have that be a desire at the time of construction? I'll tell you why. It's money."
The chief, alongside Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Alderwoman Pratt, emphasized the importance of sprinklers in buildings, particularly multi-family apartments. Chief Lipski says they're checking apartments to make sure they're up to code.
The fire department says the cause of the fire is under investigation.