West Allis Morgan Grove Apartments 3-alarm fire, 2 adults, child hurt
WEST ALLIS, Wis. - A child and two adults were hurt in a fire in West Allis at the Morgan Grove Apartments near S. 108th Street and Morgan Avenue Wednesday morning, May 31.
The three-alarm fire broke out before 5 a.m. Wednesday. Flames could be seen pouring out of the roof of the 12-unit building, deemed uninhabitable in the wake of the fire.
Firefighters had to rescue four people, two adults and two children, from the burning building.
People said they were startled awake by alarms and the smell of smoke.
Fire at Morgan Grove Apartments, West Allis
"Then I kind of just walked down the hall, and I walked past the door, and I saw through the window, and the fire was still rising above the building," said Jamel Mosley, neighbor. "After a while, I just saw families leaving with suitcases, getting in their cars, driving off, you know, just being displaced."
Fire departments from five communities (including West Allis) helped with this fire.
"The building is inhabitable. No one will be able to live in the building; however, the occupants will be able to gather their belongings with some assistance from the building manager and crews on scene," Battalion Chief Michael Wright said.
Brenda Drane was babysitting her grandkids at her daughter's apartment.
"I believe it had to be really close because by the time we opened the door, which was pretty quick, I mean, there was black smoke everywhere," said Drane.
Ashley Calvert, who lives directly across from where the fire started, said she woke up to a crackling sound.
"I went outside and started screaming, 'There's a fire' because nobody was coming out," said Calvert. "I did see kids leaving on stretchers. I did see them doing CPR on one lady outside of the building. They dragged her out in a blanket."
With the fire crews gone, Vanessa Cawley emphasized the need for unity.
"We all need to come together," said Cawley. "We need to support these kids and make sure they're in a good place where they can be a good future for us, too."
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire officials noted the building was not protected with a sprinkler system.
Red Cross shelter
The Red Cross opened a reception center at Mother of Perpetual Help at 2322 S. 106th Street for those displaced, with Red Cross volunteers providing comfort, care, food, power and more.
Those needing assistance were asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS.
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"We've already had some clothes taken here," said Vanessa Cawley.
Fire at Morgan Grove Apartments, West Allis
Previous fires at complex
Unfortunately, this apartment complex has seen fires in the past. In 2017, 90 residents were displaced. Officials said the fire spread into the attic. The 40-unit complex was evacuated.
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There was also a fire at the complex in 2013. Officials said the fire began in a second-floor bedroom in a unit closest to the end of the building. The fire spread to the third floor, with smoke and water damaging all three floors.