Family without home on Milwaukee's north side after they say neighbor started fire, arrested for arson
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Five people were inside a home on Milwaukee's north side when a fire broke out on Wednesday, Jan 15, including a mother who says her 56-year-old neighbor started the blaze.
Milwaukee police are investigating the fire that happened just before 11 p.m. near N. 18th and W. Keefe. Marissa Rodriguez says earlier in the evening; police came to her home after she raised concern about her downstairs neighbor. She says she was with her two children, a family friend, and her baby cousin.
“I went down there and comforted her as much as I could, I made her a cup of coffee, and then she started talking violently," Rodriguez said. “She was down there shooting glasses and breaking glass everywhere; I could hear it.”
Rodriguez said the police left her home, and later that night, she saw smoke. She said she grabbed her 4-year-old and 6-year-old who live with her and jumped from the second story where she lived to the ground.
“I had no choice but to fall, so I fell, and I went unconscious for a couple seconds," Rodriguez said. "I ran across the street to a parking lot.”
Milwaukee police say the incident is currently under investigation and has been determined to be arson. A 56-year-old was arrested. When CBS 58 was at the scene, Walter Rockridge, who identified himself as the brother of the 56-year-old, said his sister was having a mental health issue.
“She was just on edge all the time," Rockridge said. “She was going through a thing, and she really thought she was hurting herself when she did what she did.”
Rockridge said his family is deeply sorry for what happened.
“I hope they find another place and that everyone who was in there and will be alright," said Rockridge. “I feel miserable about it, and it shouldn’t happen to either one of the families.”
“It hurts me because I feel like her family hasn’t taken proper precautions for her being mentally unstable," Rodriguez said. “It really breaks my heart.”
Milwaukee police have not formally identified the woman who was arrested for arson. Charges are pending review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
A GoFundMe for Rodriguez's family is available here.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips App.