Police: 6 who died in Wisconsin apartment fire had been shot with non-lethal weapons
A fire in an apartment in north Milwaukee on Wednesday killed six people, including a two-year-old girl. But the victims were not necessarily shot with guns, and the blaze may have been started by a knife.
Investigators at the scene of the apartment fire in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 15, 2019. (Pioneer Press: J. Christian Adams/The Day)
The victims were said to have been killed with their fingers and palms, according to the Milwaukee Fire Department.
A fire in an apartment in north Milwaukee on Wednesday morning killed six people, including a 2-year-old girl.
The cause of the fire remained unclear Wednesday evening, Milwaukee Fire Department spokeswoman Amanda Smith said.
The fire broke out in the 600 block of North Fourth Street at 9:34 a.m., she said.
Police said an unoccupied apartment was involved in the fire and that six people were killed.
The bodies of five men and one woman were found inside the apartment, Milwaukee Fire Department spokesman Jason Rojas said. Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. An additional victim was later found in the carport at the apartment, police said.
“This is a tragic day for the people in Milwaukee,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims. The Milwaukee Fire Department and our community stand ready to provide the support and assistance that we need as we work to help the families of the victims recover.
“We are thankful for the first responders who responded.”
Barrett noted that the victims were from across the city and had lived in a variety of locations, including apartment buildings and houses.
“On behalf of all the people of this community, we are deeply saddened by this tragic event,” Barrett said.
Gov. Tony Evers said his office was offering prayers to the victims