Local lawmakers push for sprinklers in apartments after weekend fires displace 37

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- In less than 10 hours, two separate fires broke out at Milwaukee apartment buildings, both without sprinklers, leaving 37 people displaced and injuring a firefighter and a resident. 

Fire Chief Aaron Lipski took to X, saying, "We need to stop sacrificing SURVIVABILITY for AFFORDABILITY."

It's a conversation that started when five people were killed at the Highland Court Apartments. Two more fires broke out on Sunday, at 87th and Villard and at 45th and Hampton.

Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says sprinklers will reduce damage and save lives. Now, local officials are looking for ways they can help.

"If a building doesn't meet the current fire code, I think it's important that residents who live there know that. So, when you sign a lease, you also have to sign a waiver saying, "I might die in this property because it doesn't have sprinklers," said Alderman Peter Burgelis. Right now, the fire department is looking at our 911 systems so they can identify these properties that don't have sprinklers."

Alderman Peter Burgelis is on the Zoning, Neighborhood and Development Committee; he says fire code is established in Madison.

"This policy that -a lack of better legislation from Madison- makes a really threatening impact to people in Milwaukee," said Alderman Burgelis.

Burgelis says under current state law, buildings built before 1974 are grandfathered into not needing sprinklers unless they have significant remodeling. A law Burgelis doesn't see changing anytime soon.

"The only thing I heard from Madison was that they're not interested," said Alderman Burgelis.

Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says it's a battle he won't stop fighting for.

"I intend to keep pushing for it but never make any mistake -- just because I'm advocating for something doesn't mean my position will win, but that knowledge doesn't mean that we just sit down and shut up, and I won't," said Chief Lipski.

The Department of Neighborhood Services says 30,000-40,000 residents in Milwaukee are living in buildings without sprinklers.