Red Cross assists more than 20 people after 2 fires on same block within just days

MILWAUKEE -- The American Red Cross has assisted more than 65 fire victims in Milwaukee County in just the last few days. That includes the victims of two fires that happened on the same block -- just days apart.

The first fire happened Sunday, July 31st at a home on N. 48th Street.

The Milwaukee Fire Department was called out to the scene around 8:00 p.m. for a fire on the second floor of the home. Officials say the fire spread to the attic.

According to Red Cross officials, the fire left a single-family home unlivable. Red Cross volunteers were assisting 12 people — three adults and nine children.

Then on Wednesday, August 3rd came another fire on the same block.

The fire broke out around 1:45 a.m. at a home near 48th and Center. Investigators say the fire started on the first floor.

No one was home at the time of the fire.

The fire caused an estimated $82,000 in damage to the property and $30,000 to contents. The Red Cross is assisting 10 people impacted by this fire.

Marquis Leflore has lived on 48th Street since the 1980s. In all those years, she said she's never seen a home on fire, until Wednesday, August 3rd.

"The whole back of the house was just in flames. Like, fire shooting out the top porch. It was just unbelievable," Leflore said.

Marquis Leflore

Leflore woke up early on Wednesday morning when she heard screaming and saw several people running across the street.

"I was thinking about my next door neighbor because I wasn't sure how far the flames would go," Leflore said.

She quickly alerted other neighbors.

"We look out for one another over here," Leflore said.

More than 20 people were impacted by these two fires.

Officials with the American Red Cross are assisting them with basic needs -- like housing, toiletries and transportation, among other things.

"We have to continually provide those services and it doesn't matter if it was two this week or 10 this week, it has to be done," Mike Turza, American Red Cross volunteer said.

Red Cross officials are looking to the community to help them continue to provide both the time and money to ensure fire victims get the necessary resources to help them get back on their feet.

Mike Turza, American Red Cross volunteer

"We're a total volunteer organization -- not a government agency and so, you know, people and money are what we need a lot of," Turza said.

A spokesman with the Milwaukee Fire Department tells FOX6 News neither of the fires on 48th Street appear to be suspicious in nature, nor do fire officials believe the two are related.

They remain under investigation.