The Leitchfield Fire Department battled a residential blaze in 12-degree temperatures on Monday night, and a Leitchfield police officer was injured checking the home for occupants.
Monday night at approximately 9:25, the Leitchfield Fire and Police Departments responded to the fire in the 500 block of West Main Street.
LPD officers arrived within a minute of being dispatched, as four officers – Wally Ritter, Hunter Miller, Tamara Jupin, and Brian Jennings – entered the burning home, well-known locally as a trap house (an empty house where drugs are sold/used), to check for occupants.
During a search of the smoke-filled home, Jennings, who Ritter said “went deeper inside” the residence, suffered smoke inhalation while searching for victims. He was transported to Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center by co-workers.
Jennings, who was clearly struggling at the scene, was treated and released.
Firefighters battled the blaze from inside and outside the home. It took LFD about 35 minutes to extinguish the flames.
It appears a fire was intentionally set in a large barrel – as if someone was trying to stay warm — found in the upstairs of the wood-frame structure, according to Fire Chief Tim Duvall, before spreading to a wall and then the remainder of the residence.
The state Fire Marshals Office was notified.
After completing an overhaul of the structure, LFD cleared the scene at 11:20.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
