GREENFIELD, Wis. — Several units appear to be a total loss after an apartment building caught fire near 61st and Cold Spring in Greenfield on Wednesday afternoon.
At the scene, TMJ4 News saw at least eight windows torched by the flames. A number of engines from local fire departments responded.
Officials say 15 residents are displaced as a result of the fire and two residents were rescued from the building's window.
One family told TMJ4 they had moved in the night before and came back from work to see their new home up in flames. Neighbors could see the smoke blocks away as the fire took hold around 2 p.m.
Fire crews worked for hours to put out the flames and even rescued two residents from a charred window.
Maria Hernandez lives in the building next door to the units affected. She said as she turned on her street filled with first responders she initially thought it was her home on fire.
“The worst thing comes to mind, right? It’s your apartment,” Hernandez recalled. “And the closer I got, the more I thought it was my place, but it’s actually the one right before my apartment.”
She's thankful her building wasn't affected but officials say over a dozen of her neighbors are now without a home.
Liz Weil was woken up by the sounds of sirens on her street and watched with worried neighbors as firefighters fought the flames.
“We're just thankful that everyone made it out,” said Weil. “Just make sure you hug your loved ones a little bit closer tonight.”
First responders are still investigating what caused the damage, but the building's maintenance staff say a kitchen appliance may have started the fire.
Only a few minor injuries were caused by Wednesday’s tragedy, but residents say that it's going to take a long time before the shock wears off.
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