Louisville, Ky. — A fire broke out at Parkview Tower, an apartment building located on Fischer Drive in New Albany, late Saturday evening, leaving one person in critical condition and at least 25 others, including a firefighter, requiring hospitalization. The incident, which unfolded around 7 p.m., saw over 50 firefighters from multiple departments respond to the scene to contain the blaze.
Firefighters worked quickly, rescuing 30 people trapped inside the building as residents scrambled to escape with only what they could grab in the chaos. Despite a history of frequent false alarms at the complex, this fire presented a real danger, and it is still unclear what caused the blaze.
Deputy Fire Chief Tim Kron confirmed that the New Albany Fire Department has responded to Parkview Tower several times in the past due to prior alarms, which often turned out to be false. This had led to some residents, like Susheela Williams, becoming desensitized to the alarm sounds. Williams, who was at work when the fire broke out, described her frustration with the frequent false alarms. She recalled rushing to the scene after receiving multiple phone calls about the fire.
“I’ve heard the alarms so many times before, and nothing ever happened,” Williams said. “You just get tired of running to the door and checking to see if it’s something real.”
The fire department’s quick response helped contain the fire in just 15 minutes, but the aftermath left many residents uncertain about the fate of their homes. Williams and other residents remained in the dark, unsure whether their apartments had been affected by the fire or if they would have a place to return to once it was safe.
No residents were allowed back into the building, and many were transported to nearby shelters, including a gymnasium where they waited for transportation to hotels. The New Albany community rallied to provide support, but the fire’s cause remains undetermined.
“We’re just waiting for answers,” said Williams. “This is our home, and nobody’s saying anything yet. It’s hard not knowing if we have anything to go back to.”
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released any further details. As of now, residents are left to cope with the uncertainty and the aftermath of a night that many will never forget.
