LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville officials are investigating after three people, including two children, were taken to the hospital after a fire at a mobile home near Okolona.
According to Jordan Yuodis with Jefferson County Fire, a fire at a mobile home on Minor Lane near Outer Loop and I-65 was reported around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Yuodis said crews with Okolona Fire were on the scene within three minutes and had the fire under control within five minutes.
Okolona Fire Maj. Frankie Nalley said a woman inside the home had to pass her two kids through a window to get them out. A neighbor came over to help the children as well.
"I heard a clear and distinct cry for help," Dominic Blanchard said. "I saw a woman hanging out the back window beating on the trailer screaming for help."
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Blanchard said he ran outside and across the street. There, he found a baby and child outside of the home, under the window, where the woman had helped them escape.
He said he scooped up the baby and handed him off to firefighters, who were just arriving. He said they helped the woman escape the home.
All three were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and Maj. Nalley said the two children were in critical condition. The woman is stable.
Yuodis said the fire was caused by an unattended candle. According to Nalley, there was not a working smoke detector inside the home.
"Having a working smoke alarm could be life or death - and this is a sad, but good, point of... that," he said.
Just a few hours after the fire, Francisco Morales, a family member and neighbor himself, stood outside of the home taking stock of the damage.
"I’m just thinking about the babies," he said. "They’re so little, and the girl she’s not strong, the mother isn’t too strong," he said. "I don’t know about the house, I don’t know what they’re going to do."
Nalley said if the smoke detector had been working, the family could have gotten out before the fire escalated.
Blanchard said it reminded him to go change the batteries in his own device.
"We kind of mostly stick to ourselves around here," he said of his neighborhood. "But we are friendly and willing to help when we can. Anytime somebody needs something, at least ask. If we have it, we’ll help."
Morales said his family is mostly concerned with the children right now.
"As long as they’re doing ok that’s all," he said.
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