Firefighters in Milwaukee made an unexpected discovery while battling a house fire yesterday, when they came across a three-foot-long alligator in the basement of the burning home. The blaze, which began due to downed wires, prompted a response just after 1 p.m. and escalated to a second alarm as flames were visible from the rear of the two and a half story house located on 14th and Scott streets, as reported by WISN.
According to an article by FOX6 News, the Milwaukee Fire Department conducted multiple searches within the residence, which is situated near 15th and Madison; confirming that no individuals were present during the incident, the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission was called in to assist with the containment of the alligator found. Proceedings on the developing case of the reptile's presence in an urban setting are currently awaited from MADACC, as of their last communication with the press.
The fire, which initially ignited on a car before spreading to the nearby home, did not result in any injuries, though it did cause significant damage to the property, as detailed in a release by WTMJ. Following the extinguishment of the fire no reports of firefighter injuries were reported either, ensuring that the incident, while alarming due to the presence of an unexpected reptilian inhabitant, concluded without human casualties.
in the meantime, the safety protocols executed by the Milwaukee Fire Department and the swift response of MADACC stand as commendable actions in the face of a peculiar and potentially dangerous situation.
