The Milwaukee Fire Department has temporarily closed its fire station near Teutonia and Locust after "major structural issues" were found, officials announced Thursday, Dec. 30.
Fire Station 30 is an "older-style" station, built in 1911, with a basement beneath the large apparatus floor. According to MFD, evidence of a partial failure of the apparatus floor, which houses fire trucks and more, was observed. "These firehouses were built, you know, for the horse-drawn fire apparatus when they were originally built. And over the course of renovation and the years, we secure the floors," said Deputy Chief Erich Roden.
MFD consulted with the Department of Public Works and the city engineer, who determined the fire station must be vacated. Further assessment and repair planning will start next week. There is no timeline for returning to the fire station at this time.