LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In light of several recent fires, the Louisville Fire Department is warning everyone to stay alert.
Officials say they've seen a rise in encampment fires especially, including one on College Street last week that left one person dead and another injured.
While it's still unclear what caused the tent fire, Fire Chief Brian O'Neill hopes it doesn't happen again.
"We want everybody to consider public safety a job for all of Metro Louisville," he said.
O'Neill urged community members to be more vigilant, not just with their own homes, but any encampments or vacant structures.
"Because those fires in vacant structures, they often go unnoticed and they build to a larger potential that can impinge on the home nearby," he said.
This is why O'Neill said it's crucial to call the fire department at the sign of danger. Or turn to the city's houseless services and shelters if you're in need of a warm place to stay.
However, outreach workers said that's easier said then done. Last Tuesday, they told WHAS11 Mayor Craig Greenberg's administration has pushed people away from resources since taking office.
"We've had more clearings in the past couple months of this administration than we have in a total of years together, and that's not okay," advocate Summer Dickerson said. "We need to do better."
The Hope Village Director of Operations Angel L. Todd said sternos, an open flame meant for cooking, can lead to fires at encampments.
"People are trying to get warm with the sterno, they fall asleep, and something catches fire," Todd said.
She recommends hand warmers and extra layers instead of sternos, to diminish the fire hazard.
"I think the biggest thing for when people see people on the street is to just check in," Todd said. "It doesn't take a lot to check in. Ask them if they're willing to go into a shelter somewhere."
In a statement, Greenberg's office said "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."
Chief O'Neill shared the sentiments Tuesday. He said the city provides the best options for weathering the bitter cold.
"Those fires that happen also happen in barbeques, in people's backyards when people are trying to stay safe," said VOCAL-KY Executive Director Shameka Parrish-Wright, who has had personal experience with being unhoused.
Parrish-Wright said with the growing population, there is not enough shelter space.
With the current renovations going on, the Hope Village can house 46 people. Todd said all are welcome to the safe place for warmth and comfort.
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