By Christopher Leach
Lexington Herald-Leader
FAIRFIELD, Ky. — Six firefighters were injured when a roof collapsed during a fire in Nelson County, according to the Northeast Nelson Fire Protection District.
The fire happened Thursday afternoon at the former Henry McKeena Distillery in Fairfield. The fire department said there was an apartment in the building that caught fire, and there was heavy black smoke with fire showing when firefighters arrived.
The fire spread to a second apartment and the nearby warehouse of the distillery, according to the fire department. Assistance from the Taylorsville-Spencer County Fire Department and Nelson County Fire Department was requested.
While fighting the fire, a roof collapsed, trapping three Northeast Nelson firefighters and two Nelson County firefighters inside the building. The fire department said a sixth firefighter was injured while trying to rescue the trapped firefighters.
All six firefighters were sent to Flaget Hospital with minor injuries and were later released after treatment, according to the fire department.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation, according to the fire department. Two families were displaced, and the Red Cross is assisting the families.
Part of the burned building was demolished by an excavation crew to protect another building, according to the fire department.
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