Woman escapes massive fire at Froedtert Hospital, man hurt in flames
By Jasmine Franklin
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MILWAUKEE (WISN) — For the first time, WISN 12 News is hearing from a witness who says she barely escaped a massive fire inside Froedtert Hospital’s parking garage.
Hospital leaders say parking garage one is closed until further notice as crews assess the damage.
But it was a terrifying moment for patients and staff members parking their cars in the lot, when it became filled with flames.
“Next thing you know you just start hearing explosions, like bop bop bop everywhere,” D’shaunta Stewart said.
Intense flames ripped through an SUV inside the lot on Wednesday.
Wauwatosa Fire Department said an 88-year-old man drove through a construction area outside the parking garage, damaging his vehicle and causing a gasoline leak.
The gas then ignited, sparking the fire.
He was injured while trying to escape the flames that spread to eight other vehicles.
Panic spread across the campus as smoke filled the busy lot.
“I just saw the man didn’t have on any clothes and his back was completely burnt. I’m like, ‘What is going on?” Stewart said.
Stewart was leaving the hospital after an appointment.
As she walked to her vehicle in the lot, she saw pure chaos.
“You couldn’t see anything because it was black smoke everywhere. I’m on the second floor; this happened on the first floor,” Stewart said.
It was a frightening experience as she made it out with just seconds to spare.
“It was so scary, and it was pitch black. I literally ran fast, but the smoke was following me,” Stewart said.
Stewart is grateful she made it out alive and thankful her car was not damaged.
“Absolutely, I was 100% relieved,” Stewart said.
WISN 12 News reached out to hospital leaders for an update on the injured man’s condition but has not heard back
Wauwatosa Fire Department said the man took himself to the emergency room on campus.
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