9 vehicles damaged by fire in parking structure at Froedtert Hospital
WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Nine vehicles were damaged and one person was injured after an SUV caught fire Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30 inside a parking structure at Froedtert Hospital, according to the Wauwatosa Police Department.
Police said the incident began when an SUV driven by an 88-year-old New Berlin man traveled through a construction area outside the parking structure and was damaged.
Investigators said the damage caused gasoline to begin leaking from the SUV.
The driver then got back into the vehicle and drove into the parking structure, according to police.
As the SUV traveled through the structure, the leaking gasoline ignited. The driver was able to get out of the vehicle before the fire spread.
Darrell DeRidder says he was inside the hospital visiting a family member when he looked out the window to see heavy smoke.
"It's a lot and then you started hearing the explosions because the tires were blowing and stuff and they are like is that going to spread to other vehicles," said DeRidder.
The resulting fire damaged a total of nine vehicles.
"The smoke was coming out about four bays in, and it was just starting to take over that whole floor and then just rolling upwards," said DeRidder.
Police said one person was injured, but additional details about the injury were not immediately released.
The parking structure was later inspected and determined to be safe for vehicles already inside to exit.
Security personnel are on site assisting drivers as they leave the structure.
The parking structure remains closed to incoming vehicles.
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin released the following statement on the incident:
"Earlier today, a multi-vehicle fire occurred in Parking Structure Black near Froedtert Hospital. The fire has been extinguished.
The safety of our patients, visitors and team members remains our top priority. The integrity of Parking Structure Black has been assessed and determined to be safe for vehicle departure. The structure will be closed to arriving vehicles until further notice while we continue to assess the impact.
We are grateful for the swift response of the local fire departments and emergency personnel, whose actions helped protect our patients, visitors and team members. We also appreciate the patience and cooperation of everyone affected."