Lexington Fire Department marks 10 years since historic Bluegrass Stockyards fire

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Lexington Fire Department is marking the 10th anniversary of the Bluegrass Stockyards fire, the largest fire in Lexington in more than three decades.

The massive fire broke out on January 30, 2016, at the Bluegrass Stockyards near downtown. The site was well known for its livestock auctions and cattle sales.

The fire destroyed the stockyards and caused damage to nearby vehicles and businesses. Officials later determined the fire was accidental, sparked by a construction worker’s saw.

In a post on social media, the fire department said more than 100 firefighters responded to battle the flames.

Fire officials say the incident became a defining moment for the department, testing crews and resources during one of the most challenging fires Lexington had seen in decades.