A pre-workday scare lit up Milwaukee's west side early Friday when a large fire broke out at the West Metro Auto Mall, sending hazmat crews and firefighters rushing to the scene. The flames appeared to be centered in the service bay of the Russ Darrow Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep dealership. Milwaukee police said the situation may involve an electric vehicle, but there were no injuries, and the cause remains under investigation.
Where The Blaze Broke Out
According to WISN 12, Milwaukee Fire Department crews were dispatched to the W. Metro Auto Mall near 107th Street and W. Fond du Lac Avenue around 6 a.m. Officials at the scene told the station that the fire activity was focused inside the dealership's service garage. The Milwaukee Police Department said the incident "may involve an electric vehicle." Hazmat teams were called in as a precaution, and fire officials said no one was taken to the hospital while the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Dealership Layout And Location
The Russ Darrow group operates multiple franchised showrooms and service centers at the West Metro Auto Mall, with the Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep operation among the locations there. Online listings place that specific dealership inside the auto mall complex. According to Russ Darrow, the company lists service-center locations at the Metro Auto Mall addresses.
Why Hazmat Teams Showed Up
Fire specialists and federal guidance note that suspected electric-vehicle battery fires can pose unique risks, including thermal runaway, toxic off-gassing and the potential for delayed reignition. Those hazards are a big reason departments often bring in hazmat teams and monitor scenes for longer than a typical car fire. The U.S. Fire Administration's 2025 guide for first responders says EV incidents can require specialized monitoring and cooling tactics, and that tactics vary by vehicle make and model. The guide is available from the U.S. Fire Administration.
Investigation Still In Early Stages
The Milwaukee Fire Department and police stayed on scene to investigate and to make sure any remaining hazards were cleared. As reported by WISN 12, officials have not yet released additional details about possible vehicle damage or given a timeline for when the area around the affected service bay might fully reopen.
