Two fires in two separate buildings erupt in one hour
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – It was a taxing day for about 90 firefighters Wednesday after two fires broke out in Fern Creek.
The chaos began at 11:15 a.m. at Wildwood Condominiums.
"The flames were coming out of the front," one witness said.
[PREVIOUS STORY: Fire forces Fern Creek families, pets from apartments]
Fern Creek firefighters arrived first as multiple other agencies rushed to help. But a tough day was about to get even more difficult.
"We had just done a rescue over there, and then the second fire had come out," said Fern Creek Assistant Fire Chief Dewayne Hutchens.
After firefighters rescued three people at Wildwood another apartment fire erupted nearby. Dispatchers called other fire departments to rush to The Park at Hurstbourne apartments. Once the first fire at Wildwood was under control, about 20 Fern Creek firefighters head to the second one.
[PREVIOUS STORY: Boiling eggs started Fern Creek condo fire]
"Both happening one right after the other, it's very unusual," Hutchens said.
Firefighters had no time for a break, even after both fires were out. But their day was far from over. Back at the firehouse, their suits, equipment and even their hoses still had to be hosed down. Their trucks also had to be put back together.
"These have all been used, got to take and refill every one of these," said Fern Creek Fire Sergeant Michael Renn.
Renn helped rescue a woman at the first fire before he headed out to the second.
"It's been stressful," Renn admitted.
He was anxious for a chance to catch his breath.
"It's been a long day," he said.
With two large, simultaneous fires it was a hard day's work, but one to be proud of.
"To know that all of us can join together and get the job done, twice in one day for that matter," Renn said.
Officials said the first fire at Wildwood started in the kitchen of one of the units while a person was boiling eggs.
No injuries were reported in the second fire. The cause of that fire is under investigation.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Beuchel Park Baptist Church, located at 2403 Hikes Lane, to assist residents who lost their homes in the fires.
Copyright 2015 WAVE 3 News. All rights reserved.
