By admin CARROLTON, Ky. — Three victims of a house fire in Carrollton that police called a “multiple fatality” have been found, and a fourth is expected to be found at some point.
Detective Dave Roberts of the Carrollton Police Department said Friday afternoon that rescue efforts were continuing and that a third victim had been recovered from the rubble, with a fourth expected at some point as the search continues. The bodies removed have not yet been identified, and investigators do not know how long it will take before they completely clean up the ruined house.
Roberts said emergency crews responded to the home on 5th Street around 6 a.m. for a reported fire and arrived within 2 to 3 minutes of the call. Roberts said when officers arrived, they noticed a 3-year-old child standing near the back door of the home.
“The house was completely engulfed,” Roberts said. “It was too hot for the officer to try to get into the house.”
Police captured the young girl, who was taken to Carroll County Memorial Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Louisville. Roberts said Friday afternoon that her condition was steadily improving.
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A neighbor told WCPO that she knew the family that lived in the house well and that two adults and four children lived there.
For a community with less than 4,000 residents, officials say this tragedy is affecting many people.
“It’s going to be a long road ahead of us,” Roberts said. “It’s a terrible tragedy in this community – a small community, it’s a tight-knit community… it’s going to take a long time to heal from this.”
A vigil was held at Carroll County Community Hospital for two people believed to be victims. The hospital wrote on Facebook: “It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the death of two beloved members of our team this morning. Their dedication, kindness and the positive impact they have had on our organization and community will never be forgotten.”
We spoke to the vigil coordinators and they wouldn’t say anything more, but they told us that donations were being collected for the family
“There are a lot of people involved in this – families, extended families and maybe even the families of first responders,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the city of Carrollton has also provided advisory assistance to assist any first responders who need it.
“I’ve seen structure fires, but never one with this amount of casualties,” Roberts said.
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