Ald. Milele Coggs
Press Release

From the ashes: Rising to the occasion in Riverwest

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the Milwaukee Fire Department personnel who responded to Tuesday’s five-alarm fire at 631 E. Center St. in Riverwest.

By - Jul 19th, 2012 04:13 pm

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all of the Milwaukee Fire Department personnel who responded to Tuesday’s five-alarm fire at 631 E. Center St. in Riverwest. You displayed skill, dedication, and bravery fighting a large, stubborn, dangerous and intense fire – all happening with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion, but there were no other reported injuries and, most thankfully, there were no fatalities.

The fire gutted a 6th Aldermanic District business – Joe’s East Coast Car Shop – as well as artist studios, apartments, and art galleries also located in the building. Generous efforts to help artists affected by the blaze have been established, and those interested can go to https://www.artsinmilwaukee.org/fund/ and http://ht.ly/ckUvE to find out more about what they can do to help.

The fire brought out neighbors and other stakeholders who have made selfless offers of help and assistance to those impacted by the fire, but in Riverwest that is not surprising. The diverse, talented, caring and generous residents of Riverwest band together often to help each other, and to improve their neighborhood. The fire quickly ignited that unified spirit of community, and I am confident that Riverwest will bounce back from this destructive fire.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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