Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Fire Department is honoring 150 years of service this year by reflecting on significant moments in its history — including a string of major fires that all occurred on November 3 throughout the decades.
According to the department, at least eleven major blazes have been recorded on this date between 1901 and 2010, many requiring multiple alarms and resulting in major structural damage across the city.
The earliest incident dates back to November 3, 1901, when a third-alarm fire broke out at the American Laundry Company on 3rd Street. Another major fire followed in 1924 at the Union Train Station.
In 1957, crews battled a fourth-alarm fire at Aquinas Catholic Church on North 36th Street. Decades later, in 1995, a second-alarm fire occurred at the Bridgecourt Apartment Building on West Wells Street.
One of the most tragic events came on November 3, 1997, when a second-alarm fire on North 10th Street resulted in one civilian fatality.
Additional fires on this date include incidents at warehouses, apartment complexes, and historic buildings such as the vacant Marshall Fields Building in 1999 and the Carlton Apartments in 2002, which reached five alarms.
The department’s post, part of its #MFD150 campaign, includes archival photos and historical notes to commemorate the courage and endurance of Milwaukee firefighters over the years.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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