In a sudden and “extreme” case of arson, a resident in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, woke up to find three of their vehicles completely torched. Local police are currently investigating the issue and have yet to find the culprit.
As reported by Spectrum News, the incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. The aforementioned vehicles were parked on Belleview Place, near Bartleet and Oakland Avenues.
Firefighters responded to the scene and were able to eventually put out the fire. Reportedly, the vehicles needed their hoods cut open to be able to control the ongoing inferno and extinguish it.
Fortunately, no one was injured. Neighbors, however, were left shaken after experiencing such an unusual sight.
Footage, Neighbor Hears ‘Popping Noises’
TMJ4 News shared some footage of the alleged arson. Multiple vehicles are seen completely engulfed by fire. Meanwhile, firefighters, as said above, are seen cutting open a car’s hood.
Neighbor Charlotte Hughes spoke with WISN and recalled how things went down. She began hearing “popping noises” and even “campfire sounds.” All of a sudden, her room was “lit up”.
“I’m like, ‘Oh my God,’ I think someone set this on fire,” Hughes said. “I was like an arsonist must have come through and set them on fire.”
Investigation Underway, ‘Extreme’ Event
The police began investigating the incident and would find out that all three cars belonged to a single owner. Given that the identity of the one responsible is still unknown, it is impossible, at the moment, to determine whether this incident was targeted.
One neighbor, a woman who chose to remain anonymous, spoke with Spectrum News and even shared footage she recorded of the event. She found what she saw “disturbing,” even labeling it “extreme,” pointing out that such a level of crime is unheard of in the neighborhood.
“I think the most disturbing thing about it all is we heard it in the middle of the night,” the woman said. “This is a very close-knit neighborhood. Lots of families, lots of kids. There have been car break-ins for sure, but nothing to this level. This is extreme, and this is next level.”
Mayor Addresses Arson
Hours after the arson incident took place, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson addressed it. After calling the one responsible an “idiot,” he asked for them to be fully prosecuted.
“They shouldn’t have to have loss of property because somebody decides to be an idiot,” Mayor Johnson said. “That’s not right. I want those folks to be caught. I want those folks to be arrested, and I want them to be prosecuted.”
The anonymous neighbor agreed with the Mayor. She also hoped that the city of Milwaukee would take the appropriate measures to identify and hunt down whoever set the vehicles on fire. She added, “The taxpayers and community members of Milwaukee deserve not only answers to these issues, but an actionable plan to implement measurable solutions.”
Anyone who has information regarding the incident described above should contact the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-395-7360. Alternatively, you can also provide an anonymous tip at 414-224-TIPS.