ST. FRANCIS — Rescue crews responded to reports of a balcony collapse at a two-story apartment building in St. Francis on Sunday night.
Crews were called shortly after 8 p.m. to an apartment building near S. Kansas Avenue and S. Whitnall Avenue.
St. Francis Fire Chief Nicholas Poplar said upon arriving, crews found that the exterior balcony gave way and fell into a lower-level basement entrance.
Watch: No injuries after partial structure collapse at apartment in St. Francis
According to Chief Poplar, four people and three pets were assisted out of the apartment complex.
No one was injured. All occupants from the affected units were accounted for, according to Poplar.
Poplar noted that those displaced after the collapse are staying with family and friends.
"I was inside the building, and it sounded like a lightning strike or like a thunderbolt, it was that loud and that fast," said Johnathan Condecon-Acker, who lives at the apartment complex. "My uncle lives up there. I was afraid for him, and just looking at the destruction, it's kind of scary."
The chief said two brick walls appeared to have a slight bow in them, establishing a collapse area. They appeared to have structural fatigue.
The Milwaukee Fire Department assisted with a structural analysis.
Poplar said residents from the remaining fifteen units were not affected.
The cause of the collapse is undetermined.
According to Poplar, "the incident was referred to the City of St. Francis Building Inspection Department for further inspections and/or orders."
This is a developing story; TMJ4 News will provide updates as new information becomes available.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
