Fire started in vacant house catches occupied home next door on fire
Statement of Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs May 22, 2024
A fire that was started at a vacant city-owned home early yesterday (May 21) in the 3300 block of N. 1st St. spread next door to an occupied home, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Thankfully, no one in the occupied home was hurt. This happened in the 6th Aldermanic District which I represent, and I have requested an expedited demolition of the city-owned house.
Sadly, on April 14 in the 2400 block of S. 8th St., a fire that spread from a vacant city-owned house to an occupied home next door claimed the life of a woman living in that occupied home.
These two fires happened on nearly opposite sides of the City of Milwaukee, showing that these incidents can and do happen almost anywhere in the city.
In my view it is important that vacant city-owned properties be secured and vigilantly monitored to keep trespassers out, and that properties that are not repairable be demolished to reduce the likelihood of them being targeted by trespassers, criminals, and arsonists. Hopefully, the elimination of blight will improve the quality of life for those living in neighborhoods with properties like these (this particular vacant city-owned property on N. 1st St. is now a priority demolition).
Over the past decade, I have led the effort to allocate resources to eliminate concentrated blight in our neighborhoods. In the 2024 city budget, an additional allocation was directed to fund this effort. In cooperation with Mayor Johnson, we also created a highly successful Raze and Revive program designed especially for the influx of unrepairable city-owned properties. Year to date, crews have demolished 26 properties that had a negative impact on our community.
We strive to continue these efforts, eliminating unrepairable houses and clearing the way for the possibilities of the future.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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