Residents displaced by morning fire on Elm Street

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — An early morning house fire on Elm Street has left local residents displaced, though no injuries were reported, according to the Lexington Fire Department.

The fire broke out shortly after 7 a.m. Friday. Neighbor Jesse Amstutz, who first noticed the flames, quickly called 911.

“I was sitting on my couch, and I saw flames coming out one side,” said Amstutz. “The flames started on one side of the house and then went through the front. We called 911, and within a minute or two, the fire department showed up.”

When they arrived, firefighters found visible smoke and flames and quickly brought the fire under control. Battalion Chief Derek Roberts praised the rapid response of his team.

“Our crews went to work very quickly and extinguished the fire,” Roberts said. “We do have residents that will be displaced, and investigators are currently on the scene looking for the origin and cause of the fire.”

Cold temperatures added challenges for firefighters, as freezing water created hazardous conditions.

“It’s harder to work in these conditions,” said Roberts. “The water freezes when it hits the ground, which presents a significant issue.”

Authorities remind residents that colder months often see an uptick in house fires as people begin heating their homes. Investigators are continuing to determine the cause of the fire.