Northridge Mall remains unsafe, according to fire chief

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Friday, Black Spruce Enterprise Group hit the deadline to secure Northridge Mall as ordered by the city.

The fire chief, along with several other city departments, did a walk-through. They determined the vacant lot is still unsafe.

"Beyond a reasonable doubt, if this building burns again, my firefighters are in extreme danger," said Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.

Chief Lipski described the interior of the building as hazardous.

The Department of Neighborhood Services said they were present to make sure the property was secured and was following city orders, but they had no further comment on the matter. Inspectors were also on the premises.

The Department of City Development shared this statement with CBS 58 over the matter:

“The future of Northridge is important to the entire city. Public safety is the City’s priority at Northridge. A City of Milwaukee contractor regularly checks the exterior and interior at the City-owned former Boston Store to ensure that the building is secure. We’re doing our part.”

Vanessa Koster of the Department of Neighborhood Services said the next steps are to wait and see what the courts decide to do with the report done Friday.