MILWAUKEE — A young girl has died and her mother is in grave condition after an apartment fire Monday, according to Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday identified the victim as 4-year-old Xiomara Jermino.
The fire happened just after 11 a.m. Monday, July 14, near 32nd and Wells. Firefighters arrived at 11:05 a.m. and found fire coming from a first floor front unit. Crews had a difficult time breaking into the unit from the hallway. Once they did, firefighters found a woman near the door and immediately after a child. Chief Lipski said they were removed from the building within two minutes.
Initially, the fire chief told a TMJ4 crew at the scene that both victims were in grave condition after suffering from smoke inhalation. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner later confirmed the child had died. Officials estimate the the child is around 5-years-old.
"I'm going to pray for that mother, and that child," neighbor Christine Jorgenson told TMJ4. "It's really hard to see something like that happen to somebody."
Watch: What we know about an apartment fire that injured two in Milwaukee:
It is unclear what caused the fire. The American Red Cross is currently assisting three families, a total of 12 people are displaced. However, the number of people affected could change.
Lipski said the building had working smoke alarms, but not a sprinkler system.
Records shows that the site is owned by Berrada Properties. Four violations have been reported since 2024, none were significant offenses.
Since the structure was built in 1921, it is not required by law to have a sprinkler system.
"I just ask everybody to keep this lady and the child and their prayers," Lipski said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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