Del Park Terrace business fire 8-26-21 (4).jpeg

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A commercial warehouse went up in flames on Del Park Terrace in Louisville's Russell neighborhood Thursday night.

Maj. Bobby Cooper with Louisville Fire & Rescue said the fire was caused by a lightning strike.  The fire was reported at 8:20 p.m. in the 2100 block of Del Park Terrace, just east of 31st Street.

Cooper said nearly 100 firefighters fought to exterminate the flames at Anderson Finishing Solutions.

Neighbors told WDRB they saw lightning in the area before the fire started. Cooper said Thursday evening's storms causing downed power lines and trees, which proved to be the biggest challenge as fire crews battled the blaze.

In a statement Friday, Major Cooper said, "Arson Investigators will continue gathering evidence, including formal lightning strike data, additional witness interviews and joint scene exams with involved parties before formally concluding the investigation."

Cooper told WDRB that flammable and potentially explosive materials and chemicals were inside the building, forcing crews that initially entered to evacuate due to the unsafe conditions. 

"The written rule that our fire recruits learn very early on is that temporary discomforts and hardships caused by emergency work must be endured for the preservation of life and property, and that was put to the test last night," he said. 

Cooper said there were several small explosions and several collapses in the building, which was destroyed. No surrounding property was damaged.

"The neighborhood over here appreciates them for what they've done, and just keep up the good work," Eldridge Green, who lives nearby, said. 

No injuries were reported. 

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