Red Cross assists families impacted by apartment fire on Mill Road

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Multiple families are displaced after a fire at an apartment complex on the Fourth of July. Preliminary reports from investigators show that fireworks may have been the cause.

It happened near 84^th and Mill Road. There's still no official word on the full extent of the damage but the building is visibly destroyed.

Officials say the three-alarm fire took more than three hours for crews to put out Thursday night.

"I just saw a big ball of smoke," said Amari Ellis who lives nearby.

The fire started in the parking lot, hitting electrical power lines and igniting a nearby vehicle. Ellis says she saw flashes out her bedroom window.

Red Cross Wisconsin is now assisting families impacted.

"Its very unfortunate that it happened obviously during the holiday season when people should be celebrating and being with family members," said Mark Thomas, Red Cross Wisconsin Regional CEO.

Some families lost everything in the fire. Red Cross opened a reception center and shelter at their offices on 26^th and Wisconsin. "Two nights ago, one family stayed with us but throughout the day yesterday, other family members and other folks stopped in looking for assistance," said Thomas.

Red Cross is encouraging those impacted to contact them for help at 1800-RED-CROSS.