‘Heartbreaking: We’re all in shock’: Families speak out after Milwaukee school fire as officials weigh next steps for students

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Families are grappling with shock and uncertainty after a five-alarm fire destroyed Lincoln Avenue School in Milwaukee, forcing nearly 500 students out of their classrooms and into an unknown next chapter.

School leaders say their goal and plan are to keep the school community together at one location for next school year.

For many parents, the school was more than an academic building.

“It’s so many memories. It’s their second home; it was their safe place. I felt safe leaving them there,” said Marisol Vargas.

Vargas, who sent three children to the school, said her family was devastated after seeing the damage caused by Tuesday morning’s fire. Her son graduated in 2024, and her twin daughters were preparing to return this fall, already looking ahead to their own graduation day.

“They were excited to walk down the stage with their longtime friends,” Vargas said.

Now, families are waiting to learn where students will be relocated as school leaders work to determine how to continue instruction. The fire has left parents asking how nearly 500 students will be reassigned and whether classmates and teachers can remain together.

“Heartbreaking. I know that they’re devastated like a lot of parents are. We’re all in shock. Where are all those kids going to go?” Vargas said.

District officials have not yet announced a plan for relocation, but parents like Vargas are urging leaders to prioritize keeping students together to ease the disruption.

“Take into consideration to keep them together, to not separate them. A lot of kids don’t do well with changes,” Vargas said.

Fire officials said sprinklers could have helped limit the damage to the building, raising renewed questions about school safety infrastructure.

“I would say, keep that in consideration from now on because if there were sprinklers, they would have probably saved the school,” Vargas said.

School leaders say they will hold community meetings on July 13 and 14 with both in person and virtual options and will share more details soon.

Milwaukee police said the fire is not being investigated as arson. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the blaze.