As dangerously cold weather descends on Milwaukee, residents of one apartment building are being evacuated after the building lost heat and running water.
The emergency evacuation began around 2:15 p.m. Thursday at an apartment complex near 29th and Wisconsin streets, according to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Officials issued an emergency order two days earlier after receiving complaints about the building's failing utilities.
"What we did two days ago is issue an emergency order, and if the emergency order isn't brought into compliance, then our recourse is to placard the building," a DNS spokesperson said. "There was no timetable of when water would be fixed, when the heating situation will be fixed. So with this weather, with the weather getting worse over the next couple of days, it truly is a life safety issue."
Watch: Milwaukee apartment evacuated after heating, water fail amid dangerous cold
The building, owned by Berrada Properties, experienced malfunctions with both its water system and heating boiler. The situation worsened when pipes burst, spewing water into common areas of the building.
The city will provide temporary housing for displaced residents at a local hotel while repairs are made to the building's heating and water systems.
The Department of Neighborhood Services said no one may reoccupy the building until inspectors confirm the heating has been repaired and water service restored.
Records show previous complaints of no heat at the residence were filed a year ago on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, 2025.
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