Five people homeless after fire breaks out in Milwaukee apartment building

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Firefighters battled flames and the bitter cold at an apartment building on Milwaukee's north side Wednesday, December 31st.

Crews were dispatched to the building near Richards and Keefe around midnight. They were able to respond quickly -- but this fire spread fast.

Fire officials say they believe the fire started in the basement -- and spread to the first and second floors.



The battalion chief on the scene tells FOX6 News the bitterly cold temperatures made fighting this fire a little tough.

"The cold weather was a major challenge for us.  Number one, we work with water and water freezes.  Hydrants are a concern. A lot of times the hydrants don't work very well.  It's hard for our lines not to freeze up. It's a major challenge.  It takes what's already a difficult task and makes it much much more difficult," David Votsis, Milwaukee Fire Department Battalion Chief said.

No one was hurt in the fire, but the Red Cross is assisting five people who were displaced.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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