At least seven people have perished in an early morning apartment building fire in Wisconsin.
Friday at 5:11 a.m., in the 700 block of Mansfield Court in Hartland, approximately 26 miles from Milwaukee, a fire broke out.
At least fifteen fire agencies and nine police departments were dispatched to the location of the fire, according to CBS 58.
At least seven people were unable to be saved by the group of first responders inside what some have described as a duplex.
Elaine Rojas-Castillo of TMJ4 spoke with a neighbor who reported hearing a loud explosion prior to the arrival of fire personnel.
The News Chopper 12 of WISN flew over the scene early Friday morning and observed the building’s extensive damage.
A reporter aboard the chopper reported seeing substantial smoke emanating from the residence.
Torin Misko, chief of police for the Hartland Police Department, held a press conference on Friday morning to reaffirm the scant information already available.
Misko began the briefing by stating, “We have received reports of a fire in a four-family apartment complex.”
The police chief stated that upon arrival, officers and firefighters were faced with “a substantial amount of fire.”
Misko stated that throughout the rescue operation, they attempted to save persons within the building as well as those who were “hoping to be rescued on the balconies.”
The cause of the fire is unknown, but authorities have opened a criminal inquiry.
Misko stated, “It is really early in the investigation, and that is what we are now investigating.”
It is the subject of an active investigation, but I do not have those specifics.
A startling moment occurred when Misko indicated that the number of fatalities from the fire is currently seven, implying that the figure could change.
The chief stated that there is currently no information regarding the ages or names of the victims.
He also stated that he could not ascertain if all seven deaths were caused by the fire or whether there were other contributing circumstances.
“Unfortunately, this is a highly dynamic and active situation, and we are still learning a great deal as we go through it.”
Misko said that the Wisconsin Fire Marshal’s Office as well as the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin Crime Lab, and many other agencies had been brought in to assist with the investigation.
This morning during a press conference, an officer stated, “This is a tragic incident for the residents and community concerned.”
DailyMail.com confirmed with a spokesman of the Village of Hartland’s Police Department that police and fire units were still on the site as of 12:00 Eastern Standard Time.
The official indicated that a press release with additional information would be sent soon, but did not specify when.