MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) responded to another suspected arson at the former Northridge Mall building Wednesday evening. It is the fourth fire in less than a month.
The fire broke out around 8 p.m. According to MFD, the fire "at the ill-secured long-vacant" mall was upgraded to a second alarm. This was due to the size and condition of the building.
Another fire at the ill-secured long-vacant Northridge Mall. 2nd Alarm requested due to size and decrepit condition of building. Fast initial work by first-due companies (who were available) has brought this under control. The massive structure must now be searched.
— Milwaukee FD (@MilFireDept) August 11, 2022
Fire crews were able to work fast to get the fire under control. Crews are now beginning searches.
During a news conference Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said this is the fourth fire at the vacant building in a little over three weeks. A rubbish fire happened around 8 p.m. on July 16. A second alarm fire happened around 5 p.m. on July 19. Chief Lipski said his senior firefighters regarded it as one of the hottest fires they ever fought. A third fire happened on July 24.
"Absolutely unacceptable in 2022," Chief Lipski said. "Something has to happen."
Chief Lipski said since the building has no gas or electric, that means someone is going into the building and intentionally starting the fires.
WATCH: Chief Lipski expresses anger over the risk his firefighters are facing.
Nobody is in custody for any of the fires, which means, according to Chief Lipski "it will happen again."
"The whole rest of the northwest side is out of emergency coverage right now as we’re out of here putting out fires in a pile of rubbish," Chief Lipski said.
Chief Lipski expressed frustration over the lack of security on the long-vacant building. He put heavy emphasis on the risks his crew faces when responding to fires at buildings of this size.
“There's nobody maintaining this property," he said. "There might be an owner on a piece of paper, that's not the same, not when my firefighter's lives are at risk. I’m over it. I’m done. We’re going to be taking action on this.”
WATCH: Drone video of the former mall
Chief Lipski has been in contact with Mayor Cavalier Johnson and other city departments and says he feels the support for taking action.
“If I sound irritated tonight, then you’re hearing me. This has to stop," Chief Lipski said.
Northridge Mall has sat vacant for nearly 20 years after it shut down in 2003. The City of Milwaukee issued a demolition order in 2019 to try to tear it down. The Chinese company that owns the property has been fighting it in court ever since.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
