Okolona fire chief describes chaotic scene after UPS plane crash near Louisville's airport

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — There was an orange fireball mixed with thick black smoke.

That’s what Okolona Fire Chief Mark Little saw as he arrived on the scene after last week's UPS plane crash. The relatively small fire department led the response to the large emergency.

He was one of the first to respond when the plane went down last week and has put in some long hours since then — including 36-hour stretches on scene.

Little said it’s difficult to explain what he saw the night of the crash.

“Obviously, when you first saw the smoke, the smoke was different,” Little said. “It was heavier; it was darker black smoke. Pulling up on scene, you first see a big orange ball of fire mixed with black smoke. At no point could we tell that there was an actual aircraft there.”

Thirty-eight fire apparatus responded to the scene from departments across the state.

Little said firefighters never lost water pressure, which was key to fighting the roaring flames. His firefighters are still working overtime at the site of the crash, rotating 12-hour shifts.

Little said the community has really stepped up to support his crew by dropping off food, water and thank-you cards.

He said those small gestures mean a lot during such a difficult time.

MSD stopped 30,000 gallons of oil from entering Louisville waterways after UPS crash, mayor says

FAA grounds MD-11 planes following deadly Louisville crash

Louisville mayor says all missing victims of UPS plane crash have been found

14th victim found at UPS plane crash site near Louisville's airport, mayor says

Louisville community gathers at Waterfront Park to honor victims of UPS Flight 2976

Former colleagues pay tributes to pilots killed in UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky

'Repeating bell' sounded in cockpit for 25 seconds before UPS crash in Louisville, NTSB says