The Brief
- One year after the Highland Court fire killed five people and displaced 100, Milwaukee investigators have yet to determine the official cause.
- The building lacked a sprinkler system due to a 1974 “grandfather” loophole in Wisconsin law.
- While Fire Chief Aaron Lipski advocates for stricter safety requirements to prevent future deaths, opponents cite high installation costs for older buildings.
MILWAUKEE – It’s been almost a year, and Milwaukee investigators have no answer yet as to what caused a deadly Mother’s Day fire.
A year has passed
The backstory:
On May 11, 2025, smoke quickly took over the hallways of the Highland Court Apartments on the city’s north side. Five people died and more than 100 people were forced to leave their homes.
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said his team is still wrapping up reports on the incident. They counted 71 rescues from the building.
The fire put the conversation around sprinklers in the spotlight. The complex did not have working sprinklers because the building was built before 1974. That is when Wisconsin law required buildings 60 feet or taller to have a sprinkler system. …