Saturday April 20, 2024
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SubscribePleasure Ridge Park firefighters responded to the structure fire call just after 4:30 PM Sunday in the 13000 block of Ashlawn Drive in southern Jefferson County’s Valley Station neighborhood.
Despite getting the blaze under control within 10 minutes of responding, two men inside the house were already dead. Although officials believe the cause of death to likely be due to smoke inhalation, the official cause is pending from the medical examiner.
Upon arriving, firefighters found heavy flames pouring from the kitchen area of the house. Traffic into and out of the neighborhood was blocked as the flames were extinguished and the scene was contained before being reopened later in the evening.
The two victims of the house fire are believed to have been in their 60s and 80s, respectively.
UPDATE: The names of the victims have been released. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Tilden Thompson, Jr., age 88, and his son, Michael Thompson, age 59, died from smoke inhalation.
Residents Ordered to Shelter in Place as Thick Black Smoke Fills Area
Liberty Tire Recycling, in the 14000 block of Bohannon Dr in southwest Jefferson County, is the site of a large fire that is engulfing the area in thick, black smoke.
At around 11:20AM, area residents who have signed up for CodeRed Alert notifications received a call from PRP Fire Department advising them to shelter in place due to the large fire and billowing smoke. The message further advised to turn off HVAC systems and avoid going outside, especially for those with respiratory problems.
Louisville Dispatch was able to get some photos of the area before being turned back by LMPD personnel who are controlling access to the affected area, which is approximately two miles south of Gene Snyder at Dixie Highway. At last word, only one fire truck is on scene pumping water onto the large pile of burning shredded tires.
Citizens are urged to call 311 if they need information or to report issues regarding the fire and to only dial 911 in the case of actual, immediate emergencies. Air monitoring is in place in the area and residents are being told not to travel or evacuate unless told to do so. Officials say that the fire may burn for two days as extinguishing efforts are complicated by the fire burning from the bottom up.
More information will be posted on LouisvilleDispatch.com, as well as our Facebook and Twitter feeds, as it becomes available.
