Teen recovering after apartment fire

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – 17-year-old Addison Richart, a Henry Clay High School student, is recovering from her injuries after jumping from a second-story balcony during a fire.

Richart’s passion is doing her makeup and showing her beloved dogs. A week prior to the apartment fire, Richart had just been able to put the grand championship title on her dog, “Stand.” But early last Friday morning, everything changed.

According to Battalion Chief Jordan Saas, the department received reports of the fire just before 1 A.M., at 3650 Tates Creek Road, Pinebrook Apartments. When crews arrived, they found flames coming from four units.

“I don’t know what went through my head really. All I know is I was thinking I’d rather fall and die instead of burn and die,” said Richart.

Richart remembers waking up her father, her father’s girlfriend, aunt, and family friend after hearing her five dogs barking and realizing the apartment was on fire. She remembers hearing the sound of her leg breaking after she jumped, but was still able to catch two of the dogs and her family friend.

“I heard it shatter completely. But, there were still people up there that needed help so I got up and I caught Monique. And they lowered her to me, kind of, but I caught her and got her over the bottom floor balcony wall,” said Richart.

Everyone and the five dogs in the apartment were saved, but she and her aunt both injured their legs in the process.

Now, Richart is looking at a long recovery. She’s spending her time crafting, coloring, and resting as she sorts out remote learning. Right now, she has a metal rod through her ankle, and will undergo another surgery next week. However, that’s not the worst thing she’s suffering from.

“It’s really scary. I have, like, PTSD from it now. But the people taking care of me, my mother–I don’t know how she’s doing it because I request a lot, I’m needy,” said Richart.

Richart isn’t sure she’ll ever walk the same again, but is determined to continue to show her dogs. The family has started a Facebook fundraiser to help with medical costs and are working on installing a ramp for Richart to use.