A deadly Milwaukee apartment fire that killed five people and displaced about 100 residents has prompted state Democrats to introduce a new bill that would offer grants to Wisconsin landlords for installing fire sprinkler systems in their buildings.
Wisconsin Public Radio reports the Democratic lawmakers also proposed a different bill on Monday, allowing municipalities to pass ordinances requiring apartment buildings to have a sprinkler system installed.
The Milwaukee apartment building that caught fire was built in 1968 and was exempt from having a sprinkler system. State law requires buildings taller than 60 feet and built from 1974 onwards to have a sprinkler system.
The grant proposal would create $10 million for landlords to use for sprinkler system installation.
