Fatal apartment fire in Milwaukee near 27th and Highland, 5 dead
Fatal Milwaukee apartment fire, 5 dead
The death toll has risen to five in the fatal apartment fire in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
MILWAUKEE - A heartbreaking start to Mother’s Day after smoke and flames rip through a Milwaukee apartment building. Five people are dead and others are in critical condition.
The initial death toll was four people. However, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski posted on X on Monday morning that a fifth person has since died as a result of the fire.
The State Fire Marshal and FBI are investigating the cause of the fire.
Four dead in Milwaukee apartment fire
Four people died in a fire at an apartment building near 27th and Highland in Milwaukee on Sunday morning, May 11.
Fatal apartment fire
What we know:
It was before 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, when 911 calls came pouring in.
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People were trapped inside their apartments. Some prepared to jump from their windows to survive the fast-moving flames and thick black smoke.
Apartment building fire at 27th and Highland, Milwaukee
Firefighters from across the city and the county rushed to 27th and Highland.
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says when those first firefighters got there, they were far outmatched, so they called in more help from West Allis and Wauwatosa to take down the deadly fire.
Apartment building fire at 27th and Highland, Milwaukee
The chief says around 30 people were rescued via ladder or from firefighters who got down on their hands and knees to drag people out of the building.
What they're saying:
A neighbor told FOX6 the fire began on the third floor near a hallway and common area.
"I went up to the third floor, I smelled smoke. I grabbed the fire extinguisher. I attempted to put it out, but it was totally engulfed," said Tony Panosian. "[I] started knocking on doors to get people out."
"There was so much smoke. I climbed out the courtyard with my cat in my backpack," said James Rubinstein. "[I] jumped to the ground floor and ran out."
Apartment building fire at 27th and Highland, Milwaukee
The Red Cross is assisting those who have been displaced.
No sprinklers in the building
What they're saying:
During a media briefing, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski made it a point to say that the building did not have a sprinkler system.
27th and Highland fire update
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski updates the media on the fatal fire at an apartment near 27th and Highland on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
This is because when the building was constructed in 1968, it was not required to have a sprinkler system or standpipes installed. The building at 27th and Highland was "grandfathered in" due to its age and a sprinkler system was never required.
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Lipski said that this significantly impacted the severity of the fire, noting that at one point, the fire was "blowing down" a stairwell at the firefighters.
"Our firefighters, ascending from the second floor to the third floor, were fighting fire blowing down the stairwell at them. If you know anything about fire, you know it doesn't normally travel downward," said Chief Lipski.
MPD tips
What you can do:
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a fire.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.
The Wisconsin State Fire Marshals are also investigating.
The Source: FOX6 was on the scene of this breaking news. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski provided additional information at a media briefing.