LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One person was killed Tuesday morning and another was injured after a fire broke out at a homeless camp in Old Louisville.
The Louisville Metro Fire Department received a call at 10:22 a.m. about a possible tent fire in the area of South Brook and East College streets. Crews arrived on the scene and located one deceased individual, and another with injuries.
The injured person was taken to the hospital; their condition is unknown. Details have not been released about the identities of either victim.
The location of the fire was in close proximity to the Safe Outdoor Space Homeless Encampment.
While it's unclear what caused the fire, advocates have an idea of what may have led to it.
"If we were providing safe and warm and accessible housing to folks, if we were letting outreach workers and social service workers across the city do their jobs, we probably wouldn't be standing here talking to you all today," advocate Savvy Huges said.
Huges said the houseless community typically starts fires to fight through the bitter cold, but recently, she said they've become more deadly as people are forced to fend for themselves.
Since taking office, outreach workers said Mayor Craig Greenberg's administration has pushed people away from resources and shelter.
"You have to come talk to outreach groups, you have to come talk to social workers, you have to come talk to the organizations who are boots on the ground every day," Huges said. "Come talk to these people that are living out here. They can tell you better than anybody what they need to survive, what they need to have safe and stable housing. 99% of this population is working towards a better life, and this administration is doing everything to stop them."
Huges said that includes criminalizing houselessness with new legislation, including one that was passed by Metro Council in December 2022. It allows community members to face fines for camping and storing items on public spaces, and permits immediate removal of belongings.
In response, Greenberg's office sent this statement to WHAS11 News:
"We are saddened by the tragic death of a houseless individual today. Metro's Homeless Services team works every day to connect people with permanent housing resources. They also work to prevent public safety hazards like open fires that are often found at encampments. This year, our team has helped secure housing for more than 30 people living on the street. We will continue our efforts to prevent tragedies like the one today."
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