Car shop owners, artists picking up the pieces after five-alarm fire

MILWAUKEE -- Joe's East Coast Car Shop owners were back at the scene of what used to be their shop Wednesday -- one day after a five-alarm fire completely destroyed their Riverwest business. Around a dozen others who lived in apartment units in the building are without a home due to the fire and smoke damage. Many of the tenants are artists, and the building also housed art galleries.

The fire started inside the auto repair shop on the first floor of the 25,000 square foot building near E. Center St. east of Holton St. just after 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

23 engine companies with nine ladder trucks battled the blaze amidst a heat advisory, and temperatures near 100 with a triple-digit heat index. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion.

Fire officials believe the fire started inside the gas tank of a vehicle being serviced. It took just minutes for the flames to spread and hours for firefighters to put them out.

Though the exterior walls were left standing, most of the building was completely gutted.

Steve Roche is friends with many of the building's former tenants. He says the eastern part of the building housed nearly a dozen artists and played home to galleries for a dozen more.

The western end of the building housed the auto shop, which neighbors say was a staple of the community.

"Went in there the first time and came back ever since. I'd love to see them come back, although in my opinion, I work on buildings and I can't imagine saving this one. I got a feeling this building's done," Mark Miller said.

Several organizations are collecting donations for those displaced by the fire, including the American Red Cross.

MARN, the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network, has set up a fund requesting donations for those affected by the fire.

Donations are being collected at the Riverwest Public House.

Suggested donations include...
- non-perishable foods
- clothing
- toiletries (all)
- shoes
- loaner bicycle(s)
- art supplies (any and all)
- cameras
- kitchen supplies

Tax deductable donations for these artists can be sent to:

MARN
5407 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI 53208
(please indicate “Riverwest Artists” in the memo line)

MARN also says they're planning benefits for the artists.

CLICK HERE for more details on how you can help.

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