LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An apartment building in the Old Louisville neighborhood was severely damaged following a second-alarm fire on Sunday evening. The fire, which began around 8 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Third Street, prompted a large response from the Louisville Fire Department.
According to Capt. Donovan Sims, the fire originated on the upper floors of the building. Due to the size of the blaze, the department upgraded the response to a second alarm. It took approximately 50 firefighters around 40 minutes to extinguish the flames.
The building, which had been converted from a single-family home to six separate apartment units, was home to several residents at the time of the fire. Fortunately, all occupants were able to evacuate the structure safely, and no lives were lost. However, one person was transported to the hospital with injuries sustained during the incident. Additionally, two firefighters experienced minor exertion during the firefighting efforts.
At this time, the full extent of the damage to the building remains unclear, as it is still being assessed. Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night to monitor the situation and ensure that the fire did not rekindle.
On Monday, Louisville Arson officials confirmed that the fire was caused by smoking materials found in the back of the building. Investigators are continuing to assess the damage and determine the exact scope of the destruction.
The fire serves as a reminder of the potential hazards of smoking materials and the importance of fire safety in residential buildings. Fire crews are continuing their efforts to ensure the area is secure and safe for the community.
