MILWAUKEE, WI – A dispute between a Milwaukee woman and her father over an eviction erupted into a major apartment fire, leaving elderly residents injured and scrambling for safety, authorities said.
Police reported that Laquita Spears, 48, allegedly set fire to her father’s apartment after an argument over her living situation. Investigators say Spears used charcoal lighter fluid and a red Bic lighter to ignite personal items inside the unit, then left the building as flames rapidly spread. The fire quickly engulfed more than just her father’s residence, impacting other units in the complex, which is home to numerous elderly and disabled tenants.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they found chaos and confusion. Residents were seen hanging out of windows and attempting to escape on their own, as the building lacked a sprinkler system. Many tenants, some with mobility issues, suffered smoke inhalation; at least one was found unresponsive and required hospitalization for chest pain, officials said.
Accounts from police interviews reveal that Spears had only recently moved into her father’s apartment after leaving a local shelter. Tensions began to mount when her father allegedly told Spears she could no longer stay due to frequent arguments and irrational outbursts. On the day of the fire, the dispute escalated over a five-dollar loan that allegedly went unpaid by another family member, according to statements given to police.
As tempers flared, Spears’ father described watching her walk toward the front door holding a lighter. Moments later, he noticed his coat atop the sofa had caught fire. He tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze as it began to spread, authorities said.
Further investigation revealed Spears had a history with arson, with two prior convictions. During her arrest three days after the incident, Spears reportedly confessed to pouring lighter fluid on both a jacket and a basket of clothes before igniting the flames. She told officers she did not intend for the fire to get out of control or harm anyone.
The fire’s rapid spread prompted self-evacuation among residents who, according to officials, were mostly elderly or disabled and particularly vulnerable in emergency situations. Firefighters arrived to find several people already outside, while others were still making their way down stairwells or signaling for help from windows.
Authorities charged Spears with arson and reckless endangerment. She is currently in custody with bail set at $50,000. A no-contact order with her father has also been issued should she be released prior to her next court appearance, which is scheduled for late February.
Investigators continue to assess the extent of the damage and the full impact on displaced residents, as the building remains uninhabitable pending repairs and safety inspections. No fatalities have been reported, but the incident has raised fresh concerns about fire safety protocols in housing facilities for vulnerable populations.