Waukesha Apartment Fire Displaces 7 Families; Cause Under Investigation

WAUKESHA, WI — Several families have lost their homes after firefighters battled a blaze at the Maple Village Apartments just after 11 p.m. Saturday night.

According to City of Waukesha police reports, authorities responded to the apartments at 322 Maple Ave., Unit 214 at 11:12 p.m. Saturday on a report that the rear of the building was on fire.

The third floor balcony was reportedly on fire, and it was spreading. Authorities shut down traffic at Maple and Dunbar as well as on Prospect as crews hurriedly arrived on scene.

According to reports, a manager went into unit 214, did a sweep and did not locate anyone. Reports indicated that the unit is where the fire had originated from.

By 11:41 p.m. the fire was under control and investigators arrived just after midnight. they were followed by the Red Cross and We Energies.

According to a WISN report, Firefighters were able to quell the blaze after a short time, but the damage had already been done at the 20-unit apartment. Everyone managed to escape the building safely.

According to a FOX6 report, flames could be seen on the second and third floor balconies. Some residents said they had to sleep in their car until they were let back in at 4 a.m. Sunday morning to see what was left of their belongings.

WISN interviewed resident Craig Wheeler, who told the TV station that it was "a little surreal to have somebody pounding on the door, then all of a sudden flying in - a fireman with his helmet with tanks of air and everything."

The American Red Cross was called to assist in the fire of a 20-unit apartment complex on Maple Avenue in Waukesha.

The American Red Cross provided assistance to 7 adults, whose apartments were left unliveable by the fire.

The Red Cross helped meet immediate basic needs by providing a shoulder-to-lean-on and financial assistance for items such as food, clothing and shelter.
The Red Cross will continue to support the families as they transition from disaster clients along the road to recovery.

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