MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Fire and Rescue crews responded to a three-alarm fire this week on South Cesar E. Chavez Drive. The fire forced residents to jump to an adjacent building in order to get out alive.
A tavern and several apartments were destroyed and the building had to be demolished.
City officials say the building had prior fire safety violations. The fire initially started around 10:30 p.m. Monday, March 30th.
Firefighters were called back to the building around 8 a.m. the following day after smoke was reported coming from the building. The fire was upgraded to a four-alarm.
The American Red Cross is helping 19 people who lost their homes — 16 adults and three children from eight families. Also destroyed was the Indios bar.
Firefighters tell FOX6 News that some residents had to be rescued from the roof of a building next to the structure. They apparently jumped to that roof to escape the flames.
Officials say five people were treated on scene for smoke inhalation. Additionally, two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze — one sustained an ankle injury and one sustained an injury to their shoulder.
The building was built in 1897. It had a history of violations at the time of this fire — about 20 open violations, all were for maintenance.
