LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville police detective was hospitalized after helping residents of a downtown apartment complex escape a fire Saturday afternoon.
Dwight Mitchell, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Police, said officers were called just after 1 p.m. to the 550 Apartments on S. 8th Street.
Police said the detective noticed heavy smoke and saw residents panicking. Before other officers or firefighters arrived, he went into the building and began clearing apartments to get people to safety.
According to LMPD, the detective was transported to UofL Hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
"We are grateful for his quick actions and courage, which contributed to the safety of residents during this dangerous situation," Mitchell said in a statement.
Donovan Sims, spokesperson for Louisville Fire, said crews arrived to the scene about 1:07 p.m. and found a large trash fire outside of the building. Sims said the fire started from a pile of belongings that was left by evicted tenants, spreading to a first-floor apartment through a window. It took 37 firefighters 10 minutes to bring the fire under control.
No residents were found inside the apartment, but one adult and two children were displaced, Sims said.
Sims said the an arson investigation determined two juveniles living in the complex started the fire using a lighter found in the discarded belongings.
Top Stories:
Brownie competition sparks culinary controversy at Kentucky State Fair
Louisville man arrested for having 8-year-old try cocaine after drug deal, police say
Ron Turcotte, Hall of Fame jockey who rode Secretariat to Triple Crown, dies at 84
JCPS milk supplier blames 'extreme' temperatures, storage challenges for quality issues
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
