A Milwaukee man has been formally charged following a dangerous fire that tore through an apartment building last week, displacing dozens and hospitalizing five residents. Keith Luko, 44, has been accused of intentional arson after local authorities claimed he set ablaze the apartment complex near 27th and Loomis due to a dispute over neighbors smoking marijuana. According to a criminal complaint cited by FOX6 News, Luko now faces eight felony charges, including arson and multiple counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
Details reveal that the fire broke out early Friday morning, forcing desperate residents to literally jump to safety. One such account, obtained by FOX6 News, involved a woman, her daughter, and her husband who had to leap from a window, resulting in injuries like a broken pelvis for the child and various cuts for the husband. Surveillance footage seems to catch Luko hastily loading a sleigh with personal items and then running from the building with flames visibly erupting behind him, a scene described by CBS58.
The fire, allegedly started by Luko in anger over his neighbors' smoking habits, has left an impact stretching further than just the physical damage to the building. "One woman said the smoke alarm went off, and she went to her front door, which was extremely hot to the touch," reported CBS58, underlining the immediate, life-threatening conditions created by the fire. Luko is also reported to have lived with his mother in the complex, who was among those injured, said WISN.
According to investigators, Luko was found and arrested later the same day of the fire. In a statement given to the authorities, he admitted to starting the fire out of frustration, reportedly stating, "He was angry about his neighbors smoking marijuana," as relayed by WISN. Luko is now set to make a court appearance where he will face the array of charges, carrying potential penalties of decades behind bars if convicted.
In the aftermath, the Red Cross has stepped in to assist approximately 25 individuals who have been left without a home due to the extensive damage, which included a lack of functioning sprinklers in the older building. "The Red Cross said all eight units of the building were left unlivable," noted FOX6 News. As the legal process begins to unfold, the broader implications of housing regulations, tenant safety, and community cohesion remain pressing questions for the south side Milwaukee neighborhood rocked by this fiery dispute.
