One person is dead and 50 others are displaced after a fire at Lake Shore Tower Apartments in Cudahy Sunday morning.
Cudahy Fire Department Chief Daniel Mayer says his department got word of the fire around 7:13 a.m. August 16, 2020.
“When our crews arrived they saw smoke on the 10th floor on the south side of the building,” Mayer told reporters on scene. “They entered the building and immediately called for back up. It took about an hour to get the fire out, contained in one unit. However, there is smoke and water damage extending from there.
“This is what we call a MABAS two-alarm. There’s was probably about 20 fire units here. Probably about 100 fire fighters, and about 8 EMS units.”
Mayer says a woman was found dead in the bedroom of the apartment where the fire took place. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms to WTMJ they have been notified and are investigating.
One firefighter was also treated for heat exhaustion, and some other residents were transported from the scene by EMS.
“The biggest challenge today is the heat,” says Mayer. “You know, firefighters running in and out of a hot building, and even being out here, and even the residents being out here in the heat; the heat’s the biggest challenge today.”
Mayer adds an initial investigation suggests the fire started in the kitchen or living room area of the apartment, but an exact cause remains under investigation.
People who are not displaced are expected to be able to return to their units by Sunday night.
