The massive fire that gutted three buildings on Louisville’s historical Whiskey Row is reported to be accidental.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Investigator Major Henry Ott, head of the Louisville Metro Arson Bureau, said that contractors working on the building renovations are the likely cause of the fire. Ott says contractors using torches to cut pipe dropped slag during the removal of old cast iron pipe or electrical conduit. The slag smoldered and caught fire approximately an hour after workers left the building.
The road where the fire took place is still closed until engineers determine that the remaining facades are safe. News about the future of the buildings is expected from the owners later this week.
