LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For the second time in less than a year, police converged on the vacant 20-story Kentucky Home Life building in downtown Louisville after they said intruders cut a gas line while trying to steal copper wire. 

Several city agencies, including Louisville Metro Police, SWAT, Louisville Fire and health officials surrounded the building at S. 5th and Jefferson streets early Friday morning.

The sweep was in connection with gas leak reported Wednesday, and officials have confirmed it was caused by intruders trying to steal copper wiring. 

"Let's be clear, those people are not just looking for shelter. Those people are actively committing crimes and vandalizing property putting people at risk," said LMPD 1st Division Major Bryan Edelen.

"They caused a major, a major, gas leak and put the citizens of Louisville, along with these businesses at risk," added Richard Price, the city's director of Codes and Regulations. "It's unacceptable."

On April 23, Emily Martin, the executive administrator of communications for Louisville's Codes & Regulations, released a statement after a gas leak was reported inside the building:

"On Wednesday, first responders were called to an emergency gas leak inside the Kentucky Home Life Building. LG&E shut off gas service to the building, and further investigation revealed that someone attempting to steal metal cut into an active gas line, causing a significant leak and forcing people to evacuate from surrounding buildings."

When asked why gas remained on in a vacant building, Price, the Codes and Regulations director said, "That is something that we probably should've looked at and did that we overlooked. Again, we've got to raise the bar."

Dozens of LMPD officers in masks and tactical gear took part in the sweep, but no one was found inside. Police began clearing the scene around 11:30 a.m.

Officials said the inside of the building is covered with trash, debris, glass, scraps of copper and various discarded tools strewn everywhere. 

"The building is in complete disarray," Edelen said. "It is nasty. There's no other way to put it."

The city is becoming familiar with the Kentucky Home Life Building, as Friday is not the first time there have been issues.

In July 2024, crews in tactical gear swarmed the building to remove squatters who caused damage to AT&T phone lines in the basement. At the time, Richard Price, director of the city's codes and regulations, said there had been reports of service disruptions because of that tampering.

Several people told WDRB they often see homeless people entering and leaving the building, but LMPD officials emphasize that those trespassers are criminals. So far, two people have been arrested. Police are also looking for a third person. 

The Kentucky Life Building was built in 1912. It has remained vacant since it was purchased in 2021 by Texas-based KHLB Properties. According to previous WDRB reporting, plans called for it to be "redeveloped into a Mixed-Use concept to include a hotel, urban loft apartments, and retail."

The owners have been fined more than $5,000 since last May for property code and other violations at the building, city records show. The property is the subject of a pending foreclosure lawsuit in Jefferson Circuit Court. 

A company called the Thrash Group is the prospective new owner.

The Department of Codes and Regulations confirmed in a statement the fines have not been paid and that a change in ownership is in progress.

"The previous owners, who purchased the property in 2021, have abandoned the building, leaving Metro responsible for securing it," Martin,  We appreciate the Thrash Group’s involvement in managing the foreclosure process and taking ownership of the building. We have discussed the need for them to enhance security measures for their investment and assist in ensuring public safety by preventing trespassing." - Emily Martin, Department of Codes & Regulations Spokesperson.

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