MILWAUKEE -- A 5-year-old girl, a 28-year-old man, and a police officer were hurt from a house fire on Milwaukee’s north side.
It happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday -- near 41st and Sheridan
Neighbors said the whole area street was celebrating the 4th of July when someone spotted smoke coming from a nearby house.
“We were barbecuing with the family and having a nice time and then all of a sudden we seen the ambulance and everything and we seen them a small child out of the house and I don’t know exactly what happened but I know it was real bad,” said M.J. who did not want to give her last name.
The fire department said a 5-year-old girl was found by firefighters upstairs. She was taken to Children’s Hospital for treatment of serious burns -- and is in critical condition.
The 28-year-old victim -- who is a relative of the little girl -- also had to go to the hospital for treatment of minor burns. He is in stable condition.
The police officer was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The fire department believes it was from trying to help before they arrived.
“My guess is arriving before we did and attempting to enter the structure,” said Battalion Chief Erich Roden.
Fire crews found smoke pouring out of the second floor along with intense heat when they arrived.
Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire -- but they suspect the child may have been playing with a lighter.
Stay with TODAY'S TMJ4 for further updates on this developing story
