Update: Authorities confirmed that a three-alarm fire broke out Thursday morning at the under-construction West Allis-West Milwaukee Department of Public Works building. Everyone was evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.
"We just got reports of a fire from the soon to be, under construction DPW building. We had fast crews unseen quickly there. There are no reports of any injuries," West Allis Assistant Fire Chief Armando Suarez told WISN.
Witnesses described seeing thick black smoke and flames coming from the building.
Elijah Fox, a witness, told WISN, "I didn't know if it was a house fire. Like, it could have been anything. A car fire. And the smoke was really big."
Another witness, Christopher Cich, told Fox6, "We could literally see the flames shooting out of the top of the building. Just a gigantic solid black plume."
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{{/usCountry}}Initial report: A large fire was reported near 53rd and Rogers in West Allis, an industrial suburb of Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, on Thursday. The fire reportedly broke out at a business in the area. Several residents took to social media to report hearing an explosion shortly before the fire was seen.
One resident reported, "ALERT!!!!! Avoid the area 54th and Rogers huge explosion and massive fire they are shutting down the streets."
Another wrote, "Was at 68th and state when I saw this seemed like it was a lot closer didn’t realize where it was until I got home and turned on the news!"
A third witness added, "Its on 52nd st. I could see the smoke on 116th and Beloit."
One resident commented, "New DPW bldg went ablaze on 53& Burnham. Didn't know they were building it. They should fix our tornado alarms before bldg new stuff. My alarm didn't go off the other day & I remained upstairs in my home. Could have been disastrous. Unacceptable. Warning alarms not working & they knew it!!!"
Another wrote, "I could see this smoke off of 894 very massive fire! Praying everyone is okay."