A Wisconsin woman is facing criminal charges after authorities alleged that her actions led to a massive fire that destroyed an abandoned warehouse and caused nearly $1 million in damages.
According to investigators, the woman later admitted to friends that she may have accidentally started the blaze. The fire burned for days and ultimately forced the demolition of the damaged structure.
Fire Breaks Out at Abandoned Milwaukee Warehouse
The incident took place on May 20 at a four-storey abandoned warehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Emergency services received multiple 911 calls at around 6:10 p.m. reporting smoke coming from the building. Due to the unsafe condition of the property, firefighters were unable to enter the structure and had to battle the flames from outside.
As the fire spread, it grew into a five-alarm fire, one of the most serious classifications for large-scale blazes.
Part of the building eventually collapsed, making demolition necessary.
Surveillance Video Leads Police to Suspect
During the investigation, Milwaukee police reviewed surveillance footage from the area.
According to court documents, the video showed four individuals — one woman and three men — entering the property at approximately 4:19 p.m. and leaving around 5:41 p.m.
Authorities also reported that a witness confronted the group and instructed them to leave the private property before they departed.
Investigators later identified one of the individuals as 22-year-old Ellen Stevens.
Snapchat Messages Become Key Evidence
Police say a witness provided information that helped advance the investigation.
According to the criminal complaint, Stevens allegedly sent a Snapchat message containing a photo of herself along with a caption suggesting she may have accidentally started the fire.
Authorities claim she later sent another image showing the warehouse fire with a brief message reacting to the situation.
Investigators included the social media messages as part of the evidence in the case.
Suspect Allegedly Admits Discarding Lit Cigarette
After being taken into custody, Stevens reportedly agreed to speak with investigators.
According to police, she stated that she and three friends had climbed onto the roof of the abandoned building on the day of the incident.
During the interview, she allegedly admitted throwing a lit cigarette through an opening in the rooftop.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the group reportedly noticed smoke and glowing embers among debris inside the structure.
Stevens allegedly told investigators that the group attempted to put out the small fire by stomping on it and believed it had been extinguished before leaving the property.
Nearly $1 Million in Damage Reported
Authorities said the fire continued to spread after the group left the area.
The blaze lasted for several days and caused extensive structural damage.
According to investigators, the warehouse became so unsafe that it had to be completely demolished.
Officials estimated the total damage at approximately $975,800.
| Fire Investigation Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Ellen Stevens |
| Age | 22 |
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Incident Date | May 20 |
| Charge | Negligent Handling of Burning Material |
| Estimated Damage | $975,800 |
| Next Court Date | July 7 |
Court Imposes Unusual Condition
Stevens was arrested on May 22 and later appeared in court.
According to local reports, she posted a $250 bond following her arrest.
During the hearing, the court commissioner imposed a condition prohibiting her from possessing burning materials, including cigarettes, cigars, and similar items while the case remains pending.
Her next scheduled court appearance is set for July 7.
Investigation Continues
The allegations against Ellen Stevens remain accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. However, the case has attracted attention because of the significant financial damage caused by the fire and the role social media messages allegedly played in the investigation. As court proceedings continue, prosecutors will seek to determine whether her actions directly contributed to one of Milwaukee’s most costly recent warehouse fires. The final outcome will depend on evidence presented during future hearings.
