The Brief
- Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski provided an update on the origin and cause of the fire.
- Officials also outlined the next steps for demolishing the historic 109-year-old facility.
- More than 100 firefighters responded to the five-alarm fire back on Tuesday, June 30.
MILWAUKEE – Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, and MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius on Monday, Aug. 10 provided an update on Lincoln Avenue School.
Cause and origin of fire
What we know:
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski stated that the fire at Lincoln Avenue School originated from chemical-soaked cleaning rags that had been discarded in a second-floor hallway garbage can.
“We find that nobody acted with intent or purpose to cause this fire to occur. In plain speak, we have absolutely no evidence to suggest this was an arson fire,” said Lipski.” …