On January 16, 2026, a fire broke out at an apartment building on Fardale Avenue near South 27th Street and Loomis Road in Milwaukee’s south side, injuring five residents including children and adults up to age 64.
Heroic Rescue
Kessy, a 28-year-old mother, was trapped on the second floor with her 9-year-old daughter Ni’Lah as smoke blocked the hallway exit. Kessy pushed Ni’Lah out a second-story window; a neighbor caught the girl safely, who sustained a leg injury and minor smoke inhalation before release. Kessy remains in ICU on breathing tubes under heavy sedation.
Other Injuries and Response
Another child jumping from a window suffered a broken pelvis, with additional victims facing severe smoke inhalation and lacerations. Firefighters rescued multiple people from windows amid heavy smoke and flames. All eight units became unlivable, displacing about 25 residents assisted by the Red Cross.
Arson Charges
Resident Keith Luko, 44, faces eight felonies: arson, first-degree reckless injury, and six counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Surveillance showed him removing belongings hours before, then fleeing as flames erupted. He admitted pouring gasoline in the hallway and igniting it over anger at neighbors smoking marijuana.
