Late-night Columbia Manor apartment fire in South Milwaukee leaves 48 households displaced and services offline

Fire forces evacuation from multi-building complex near South Chicago Avenue and Columbia Avenue

A late-night apartment fire at the Columbia Manor complex in South Milwaukee displaced residents from 48 occupied apartments after damage disrupted essential building services, officials said. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in a first-floor unit within a 16-unit building that is physically connected to two other buildings.

When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the first-floor apartment. Firefighters reported that most damage was contained to the unit where the fire began, while smoke and heat spread into a first-floor hallway, several nearby apartments and one apartment on the second floor.

No injuries reported; pets rescued from building

Officials said no injuries were reported. Firefighters removed a cat and a turtle from the building. The cat was revived with oxygen using a pet mask and returned to its owner, and the turtle was relocated.

Power, heat and fire-alarm protection knocked out

While the fire’s primary damage footprint was limited, officials said the incident disabled core safety and livability systems building-wide. The fire knocked out power and heat and disabled the fire alarm system, prompting the evacuation of residents from all 48 occupied apartments across the connected buildings. Officials said the apartments are not habitable until those services are restored.

Residents were forced to leave not only because of smoke and heat impacts, but because key building systems—electricity, heat and alarm protection—were taken out of service.

Shelter needs and ongoing investigation

Seven people were placed into shelter through the American Red Cross, officials said. The total number of people displaced was not immediately specified, but the evacuation affected every occupied unit within the connected structures.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, 2026. Officials had not released further details about what ignited the fire, whether the unit was occupied at the time, or an expected timeline for restoring building services.

What is confirmed so far

• Time of response: about 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
• Location: Columbia Manor apartments near South Chicago Avenue and Columbia Avenue in South Milwaukee.
• Building configuration: a 16-unit building connected to two other buildings; 48 occupied apartments were impacted.
• Impacts: fire damage largely contained to the origin apartment; smoke and heat extended to adjacent areas and one upstairs unit.
• Safety/livability: power, heat and the fire alarm system were disabled; apartments deemed uninhabitable until restored.
• Human impact: no injuries reported; seven people placed in shelter assistance.
• Animal rescues: a cat and a turtle were removed; the cat received oxygen and was returned to its owner.