At least two of the homes that recently burned on Milwaukee’s south side did not have working smoke detectors installed, Acting Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said at a news conference called this week to address fire safety.
At the Wednesday news conference, Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa and Mayor Tom Barrett focused on fire safety tips and how renters and homeowners can get free smoke detectors installed in their homes.
Under city ordinance, property owners in Milwaukee must install smoke alarms that are powered by 10-year or greater, nonremovable batteries.
“A life was lost in each of these fires, and as you know that’s one too many,” Zamarripa said, citing the spate of recent incidents.
A 57-year old man died Tuesday afternoon in the 1200 block of South 21st Street, according to a news release. Last week, a 55-year-old woman died in a fire in the 1900 block of West Burnham Street.