Milwaukee 3-alarm apartment fire near Sherman and Florist
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee firefighters battled a 3-alarm fire at an apartment building near Sherman and Florist on the city's north side on Thursday evening, July 20.
It happened at the Sherman Gardens Apartments, a three-story building. Firefighters found heavy fire on the third floor.
Apartment building fire near Sherman and Florist, Milwaukee
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Fire officials said there were no injuries.
Between 30-50 who live in the building were displaced.
The cause is under investigation.
"I’m just a ball of emotions," said Precilla Edwards.
Edwards was about to leave her apartment at the time.
Apartment building fire near Sherman and Florist, Milwaukee
"The smoke turned black," said Edwards. "It got too thick, and I just saw everyone start piling out."
Her home of eight years, the Sherman Gardens Apartments, was on fire.
"We were overwhelmed with heat, smoke and fire because of the size of the actual structure itself and how fire traveled before we actually arrived on scene," said Deputy Fire Chief Travis Jones.
According to the fire department, it spread quickly because the apartment building has a common attic stretching across the whole building.
"Because of what the building is constructed out of, we definitely chose not to put anybody on the top of the roof," said Jones.
Apartment building fire near Sherman and Florist, Milwaukee
Jones said more than 50 firefighters worked to put out the flames.
"The flames were real big," said Antonio Stith, who also lives in the building. "They got all over like the front and back and stuff like that."
Stith said the power went out earlier in the day, which he thought was unusual. He came home to the fire.
"I’m just glad my kids weren’t in there, and we weren’t in there as soon as it started," said Stith.
Investigators said at least five units were destroyed, while there was smoke damage in others.
The Red Cross opened a shelter for displaced residents at Northwest Health Center near 76th and Mill. Anyone needing assistance is asked to call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
"Just praying everyone can get the help they need," said Edwards.
Investigators said Thursday it was too early to tell if there were working smoke alarms in the building.