MILWAUKEE — The video was obtained through an open records request shows exactly how investigators say the Lincoln Avenue School fire started — rags soaked with floor-cleaning chemicals left inside a trash can eventually ignited through spontaneous combustion.
Previous Coverage: Chemical-soaked rags caused accidental five-alarm fire that destroyed Lincoln Avenue School
WATCH: New surveillance video released by MPS in Lincoln Avenue School fire
The video shows the hallway filling with smoke in about 3 minutes along with a fan running. Investigators said extreme heat, open windows, propped-open doors, and furniture in the hallways, all helped the fire spread rapidly through the building. Custodial staff were doing summer cleaning to prepare for the upcoming school year.
The fire was determined to be accidental and the result of human error.
Amanda Ortiz, who attended Lincoln Avenue School, watched the video for the first time and was visibly shaken.
"That's crazy! Oh my God!" Ortiz said. "I thought like the whole building was gonna be gone."
On Monday, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, along with MPS and city leaders, held a news conference to explain what happened and share the cause of the fire.
"Approximately 30 minutes prior to the initial calls… a wisp of smoke is seen leaving the top of a garbage can," Lipski said.
When asked whether any disciplinary actions were taken against custodial staff at Lincoln, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius responded carefully.
"We will follow our normal process for our own personnel investigation," Cassellius said.
Cassellius added that MPS has already retrained custodial staff on the handling and disposal of chemical-soaked rags, while also adding new safety protocols inside school buildings.
For Ortiz, the loss of Lincoln Avenue School is personal.
"It was also a home away from home because I didn't have the greatest childhood," Ortiz said.
This fall, students from Lincoln Avenue School will relocate to nearby Pulaski High School. MPS says conversations about what comes next for the property are just beginning, and many in the community hope Lincoln Avenue's story isn't over.
When asked if she would like to see Lincoln rebuilt, Ortiz answered simply.
"Yes," Ortiz said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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