Multiple families displaced after fire breaks out in West Allis apartment building

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A fire broke out at an apartment complex in West Allis, leaving many families out in the cold and without a place to stay early Saturday morning.

Officials said the incident took place at around 3 a.m. near 110th St. and Oklahoma Ave. The Windsong Village apartments is known to host low-income individuals and families.

The West Allis Fire Department confirmed that about 12 units were affected by the fire, four of those suffered extensive smoke and water damage, and one was completely gutted.

No injuries were reported but fire crews said they did find a dog that was unresponsive. 

"Our fire alarm went off for about, like, five seconds, I didn't think anything of it at first because a lot of times a lot of kids around here like to just pull the fire alarm, so I put my glasses back down, laid back down to go to sleep, woke back up about 5, 10 minutes later, heard someone yell outside 'fire, fire fire,'" said Jessica, one of the residents affected. 

Jessica, who asked that we not reveal her identity, has lived in the building with her four kids for the past 8 years.

First responders told her carbon monoxide levels in her unit were high and that they all needed to evacuate the area for at least 24 hours. 

She said she now has to pay out of pocket for her family to stay at a hotel room because the Red Cross was unable to accommodate them.

"They told me that they were waiting for updates from the fire department, from, you know, the police department, from her (the property manager) herself, that they needed in order to help all the ones that were just only infected, you know, with the smoke," Jessica explained. "The Red Cross apparently only covers if it’s past 48 hours and I’m still here at like 3:30 p.m. trying to figure out what’s going on or where we’re going to go with our kids."

The Red Cross told CBS 58 they were waiting on the property manager for documentation and information relayed by the fire department. They do, however, always urge people to contact their 1-800-RED-CROSS number for assistance.

Moreover, Jessica said it's been hard to get in touch with just about anyone.

"It took us, several of us, to try to call, you know, the emergency line, the property office, several numbers to contact somebody," she added.

A brief note on behalf of the property was taped on several apartment doors stating that an incident had taken place and if anyone had questions or concerns, they could call the number listed.

CBS 58 called that property office number and was sent to voicemail, it stated that they were closed on weekends.

The third-party emergency maintenance contact then told us they were unaware a fire had taken place and could only leave a message to be returned by the main office on Monday.

It is unclear when and if those displaced can come back to their homes safely.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.