Falk Corporation

Photo/TMJ4


Explosion Levels Falk Building

Initial reports suggest a 10,000-gallon propane tank exploded in a warehouse that was destroyed in the blast. The entire Falk complex covers roughly 1.5 million square feet.

Residents heard and felt the explosion in the downtown condominiums, houses in Bay View and offices on the far southwest side - even as far away as New Berlin.

The plant is owned by the Rexnord Corp., which purchased the old Falk Corp. in May 2005. It employs about 200 people making gears, said George Moore, chief financial officer of Rexnord.

"There will be a significant number of injuries but there are no fatalities yet," Jenkins said shortly before 9 a.m.

The devastation is so massive.

It looks like a war zone.

According to 620 WTMJ, there are fatalities.
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Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, speaking from nearby Miller Park, began a press conference by expressing concern and offering prayers for the individuals involved in the explosion and their loved ones.

Then, Fire Chief William Wendlandt spoke.

Twenty-five people have been injured. He said that only one person is missing. There was no verification of any fatalities.

Given the extent of the damage, that's amazing.

A Rexnord official, looking visibly shaken, spoke.

Anne E. Schwartz, spokesperson for the Milwaukee Police Department, said that the MPD had launched an investigation.

Before the mayor ran off, he thanked the Milwaukee Brewers for opening up Miller Park as a site for employees, family, officials, and media to gather.

It's truly miraculous that there weren't more injuries. Employees did get some warning, smelling gas and feeling vibrations before the explosion occurred. Thankfully, they had begun an evacuation.

While many workers and their families have so much to be thankful for, some families are living a nightmare right now. Not everyone escaped the blast.


The emergency contact number is (414)286-3616.
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Read witness accounts.
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According to NBC affiliate TMJ4, via 620 WTMJ, two bodies are visible in the debris. At this point, firefighters can't get to them.

Two people are dead and one is missing.