Lincoln Avenue School Heavily Damaged By Five-Alarm Fire

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a blaze at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

More than 110 firefighters responded to an overnight five-alarm fire at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School, 1817 W. Lincoln Ave.

Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the department received the first report of the fire at 2:59 a.m. As of 11 a.m., firefighters were still spraying the building from multiple angles.

“Firefighters made extremely aggressive attempts to put out the fire from the inside,” Lipski said at a morning news conference in front of the building. Obstructions within the hallways inhibited the ability to drag hoses, and the firefighters were safely withdrawn. “Fire was coming up from the floor below them.”

He said the building did not have sprinklers and estimated it was a total loss. The roof and floors had collapsed.

“We have absolutely no idea what might have caused this yet,” said Lipski around 5:30 a.m.

In a late-morning news conference, Milwaukee Public Schools Interim Deputy Superintendent Michael Harris said he believed the majority of the district’s buildings lack sprinklers because of their age.

Images and videos circulating on social media show large flames shooting from the roof.

There were no known injuries at the time of the news conference.

Street closures extended several blocks Tuesday morning as a network of fire hydrants, fire engines and trucks were used to bring water to the building.

Joining the Milwaukee Fire Department in battling the blaze were the West Allis, Greendale and Greenfield fire departments.

In a statement, Milwaukee Recreation said the school’s community learning center was being relocated to Hayes Bilingual School, 971 W. Windlake Ave., through at least July 31 because of the fire. Program hours will remain 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We will work diligently throughout the summer on our plans for school in September and we will keep you updated as often as possible,” said the school in a social media post.

We Energies had to disconnect power for more than 100 nearby customers, according to spokesperson Brendan Conway. Some of the utility’s distribution infrastructure is located close to the school.

According to its 2024-25 state report card, the school had 427 students in grades K4 through fifth grade. It had an 83% Hispanic or Latino student body and earned a three-star grade (62.9, Meets Expectations). Ninety-two percent of the student body was reported to be economically disadvantaged, and 55% were English language learners.

The building was constructed in 1917 in the Late Gothic Revival style and designed by Van Ryn & DeGelleke.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson attended the school for at least one year as a child.

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