4-Alarm Fire Hits Wisconsin Auto Salvage Yard

June 7, 2011
MILWAUKEE -- Investigators are trying to determine what caused a four-alarm fire at a Milwaukee business Monday morning. It happened just after 11 a.m. at Skrap-Cor, wholesale auto wrecking company, at 33rd Street and Fond du Lac Avenue. "It's a big fire, employee Jacquari Brown said. The fire and black smoke could be seen from miles away.

MILWAUKEE --

Investigators are trying to determine what caused a four-alarm fire at a Milwaukee business Monday morning.

It happened just after 11 a.m. at Skrap-Cor, wholesale auto wrecking company, at 33rd Street and Fond du Lac Avenue.

"It's a big fire, employee Jacquari Brown said.

The fire and black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Brown said he was too close for comfort. He was only on the job for four days when the fire started. While he was cleaning up, two other guys were dismantling a car.

Brown said he saw gas and oil catch flame.

"Oil, gas, transmission fluid everything from a car, Brown said.

Brown said there were seven employees inside the building including two supervisors. All escaped without injury.

Investigators said the four alarm fire in the auto salvage company then spread to an adjacent printing company. Both buildings are severely damaged.

The cause of the fire and the total damage amount are unknown at this time, according to Milwaukee Assistant Fire Chief Paul Conway. He said the police and fire departments are both investigating.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries. He's expected to be OK.

Meantime, Brown said he is grateful to have had the job, but he said he has his life, and that is most important because, as he said, stuff happens.

"Stuff happens every day, and like that, it happened, within a blink of an eye, Brown said.

The fire also forced two nearby residents from their homes as a precaution. They have been allowed back in.

Copyright 2011 by WISN.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!