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Strong winds fuel fire, spreads to three other homes in Washington Park neighborhood

According to the Milwaukee Fire Department's online records, the fire started around 10:19 a.m.

Firefighters say strong winds fueled an out-of-control fire at an abandoned house in Milwaukee near 35th and Lloyd.

By: Julia Fello

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MILWAUKEE — MILWAUKEE — Firefighters say strong winds fueled an out-of-control fire at an abandoned house in Milwaukee near 35th and Lloyd.

The blaze spread to three other homes Friday morning in the Washington Park neighborhood. Two are a total loss, while the other two have extensive damage, according to the deputy fire chief.

Update: Deputy Fire Chief says fire spread to 4 homes, 2 are a total loss.
No one was hurt.
Cause of fire to abandoned house under investigation.
Strong winds caused the fire to spread fast. pic.twitter.com/XbpT1Dea0b
— Julia Fello (@JuliaFello) March 31, 2023

We spoke to two women who lost everything, but made it out alive, thanks to a Good Samaritan.

"Our house is gone," said a resident, who did not want to be identified. She added, "I didn't smell it - the smoke detector did not go off. We didn't hear anything."

"Our house is gone," said the ladies who live on second floor of this white duplex.

The ladies whose house set fire say they had no idea an inferno was happening right next door while eating breakfast. "All we know is the neighbor came kicking at our door telling us to get out like our house is on fire," they said.

They lost everything in the blaze and set up this GoFundMe to help get back on their feet again.

One of those neighbors was Adriell Hughes. "I just kicked in the back door. I'm like 'Hey y'all gotta get out of here!'" she said.

A Red Cross caseworker on scene tells TMJ4 News four families in total were displaced.

Deputy Chief Matthew Williamson with the Milwaukee Fire Department says firefighters had a tough time getting the blaze under control. "The wind is what drove that fire. Next thing you know it took off."

Deputy Chief Williamson says two homes are a total loss and two others have extensive damage. We asked what could have started this fire in an abandoned house. Williamson said the cause is still under investigation.

Above all, everyone is amazed no one was hurt.