During the weekend, emergency services from Lawrence County Fire & Rescue were called into action multiple times, including responding to two significant structure fires. The first incident took place in the West End Fire District shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fully engulfed shop-style building, with flames threatening to spread into a nearby wooded area. Fortunately, the property owners experienced only minor burn injuries and did not require transport by EMS. The responding fire stations included West End, Henryville, Gandy, and Leoma.
The second fire incident occurred in the Ethridge Fire District, with dispatch occurring shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, following an activation of a fire alarm. When the alarm company reached out, the occupants, including children, confirmed that their home was ablaze and were in the process of evacuating. The first units on the scene reported significant fire involvement, but through a swift and aggressive interior attack, they were able to contain the flames. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported in this incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that a wood heater in use at the time may have been the cause of the fire. The fire stations that responded included Ethridge, Henryville, Gandy, Lawrenceburg Fire, and LCEMA.
Fire officials have emphasized the critical role that functioning smoke alarms play in ensuring safety, as evidenced by the quick notification in the Ethridge fire. With the arrival of cooler weather, residents are strongly encouraged to inspect and clean their heating systems prior to use, ensure adequate ventilation, and maintain operational smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to safeguard their homes.