32-year-old mother of 5 identified as fifth fire victim; fire officials 'can't rule anything out' as investigation into cause continues

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Tuesday, May 13, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office released the name of the fifth and final victim who died in the Mother's Day apartment fire.

Thirty-two-year-old Shakwanda Harris is the victim.

Six other people are still in the hospital as both investigators and the families wait for answers.

Fire officials and investigators are trying to get answers because hundreds of buildings could similarly be at risk.

At the same time, survivors don't know what's next and still others are mourning the dead. 

Jessica Harris and Nikeya Harris are Shakwanda Harris' sisters. They told us Tuesday, "She was loving. Loved her kids. Life of the party. Joyful. Had the biggest smile."

But Harris' sisters will never see that smile again. Jessica Harris said, "My sister was just loving. Shortest one in the room, but the biggest mouth."

Shakwanda Harris leaves behind five children, the youngest of whom is just 1.

Nikeya Harris said, "We just try to take it day by day. And just let them know that we're all in this together."

Six people remain hospitalized.

Survivors are also struggling to process the aftermath.

Ira Jefferson lived in the Highland Court apartment building for seven years. He sprained his ankle Sunday as he escaped the fire. He told us, "I'm still experiencing it. Even though the matter is over with, I watched people die. So I'll be getting some counseling."

While people grieve, investigators are working the scene, trying to figure out how the fire started and whether it was intentional.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said at a Tuesday afternoon media briefing, "There's a lot going on here. A lot of dynamics. We can't rule anything out. With such a huge loss of life, it's just critical we get it by the numbers."

Investigators are preserving potential evidence by keeping the building secure. Lipski said, "Until we rule out a whole bunch of stuff-scientific methodology- we cannot state with certainty it's one thing or the other."

The apartment building was not required to have sprinklers and was regularly inspected.

Jezamil Arroyo-Vega, a commissioner for the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, shared, "We observed no violations in this building, whatsoever."

The building will stay boarded up and secure for the foreseeable future.

So far, 114 people have been displaced and 29 spent the night at a Red Cross shelter.

Regional CEO Mark Thomas said only monetary donations are needed right now. "It's too early in the situation," Thomas said. "We haven't seen what's going on inside the building. So we don't know what needs have to be met."

Nearly 150 firefighters responded Sunday and carried out more than 45 rescues.

Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, the executive director of Near West Side Partners, praised "their swift response, their long hours, their caring."

Officials acknowledge answers may not come quickly.

In the meantime, Shakwanda Harris' family was preparing to celebrate her birthday in two weeks. Instead, they'll plan a funeral and figure out how to raise her children.

We asked a doctor with Ascension's burn unit for an update on the other victims' conditions. He declined to give an update, saying it was out of respect for their privacy.