MILWAUKEE — Chemical-soaked rags that spontaneously combusted caused the five-alarm fire that destroyed Lincoln Avenue School in Milwaukee on June 30, the Milwaukee Fire Department announced Monday.
Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski shared the update at a press conference, saying the fire was accidental.
"No evidence to suggest this was an arson fire," Lipski said.
Lipski said there was "human error involved," adding that rags used by janitors cleaning the school were tossed into a garbage can. More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze from the early morning well into the afternoon, knocking out power in the neighborhood for a short time. No injuries were reported.
During the press conference, district leaders announced next steps for the demolition of the 109-year-old facility and provided updates on continued community financial support and the temporary relocation of K3–5th grade students for the upcoming school year.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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