Lexington firefighter falls through hole while battling house fire

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Crews worked to extinguish a house fire in Lexington.

Officials say a neighbor called about a house fire on Chatham Drive at around 6:15 a.m. on Friday morning.

Crews say the home has extensive damage.

Fire officials say the home was vacant, but the damage this fire caused created a dangerous situation for firefighters as they worked to put it out. The fire burned a hole near the front door, and a Lexington firefighter fell through it.

“There was a hole in the floor. It had burned through the floor right as you walked in the door. We did have one firefighter fall into the hole, into the crawlspace,” said Battalion Chief Kevin Austin.

Austin says the firefighter was not hurt and got himself out after the fall.

We’re told the house sustained significant damage in the fire. Neighbors in the area indicated the house may have been uninhabited for some time now.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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