The Lexington Fire Department has determined the fire that broke out at a vacant duplex unit on Wilson Avenue, off Elm Tree Lane, Monday morning was intentionally set, fire officials said.
Firefighters said they saw heavy smoke and flames coming out the second floor of the unit when they arrived around 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.
http://liarcatchers.com/arson_investigation.html
Fire officials said the fire started in the vacant unit, where they said it appeared someone had just moved out from. They say the damage was mostly contained to the vacant side of the building, but that it was extensive.
Donica Sweat lives in the unit next door in the same duplex with her three children. She said she smelled smoke, but couldn’t find the source. A neighbor knocked on her door and told her about the fire.
“My first instinct was to grab my kids,” she said. “I ran upstairs grabbed my kids and came out the house, moved my car.”
Officials have cut the source of power to Sweat’s home even though there’s not much damage on that side of the duplex. Sweat says she’ll be living in a family member’ house for the time being, while the fire department continues their investigation.
There were no reported injuries.
Investigators ask anyone with information regarding this fire to contact the Fire Investigations Bureau at Ph 859-231-5672 or leave a tip at arsontios@lexingtonky.gov.
