Milwaukee Police Seek Arsonist After Three Cars Torched on East Side

Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Milwaukee firefighters had a particularly busy night, responding to 17 fires across the city in just over 24 hours, according to Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.

Among those incidents were eight vehicle fires, including three cars deliberately set ablaze on the city’s east side at Oakland and Belleview. The fires occurred just after 1 a.m. Thursday, leaving residents shaken as they woke up to the sight of large fireballs outside their windows.

Neighbors described hearing popping sounds similar to a campfire before their rooms lit up from the intense flames. One resident reported feeling the heat through their bedroom window, while others noted the arrival of sirens and firefighters using chainsaws to cut open the hoods of the burning vehicles to extinguish the engine fires.

The charred remains of the vehicles, two of which were SUVs, remained on Bellevue Place Thursday morning. Local residents believe the three cars belonged to the same owner. Milwaukee police confirmed the fires were intentional, stating an arsonist targeted the hoods of the empty vehicles before fleeing the scene.

Charlotte Hughes, a 12-year resident of the area, expressed shock at the incident, saying nothing like this had ever happened in her neighborhood before.

As of Thursday afternoon, police had no suspects in custody. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the arson to contact Milwaukee police.