Kentucky: Fire destroys two homes, Smoke Damages Two Others

Shooting flames and dark smoke rolled from a Lexington apartment complex yesterday, displacing two families.

The fire, which occurred about 3 p.m. at Steeplechase Apartments, gutted two apartments; smoke damaged two others, one of which was vacant.

When fire trucks arrived, the two apartments were already engulfed and firefighters called for more trucks to help fight the flames, said Assistant Chief Bill Bailey.

"It was a good, quick knockdown," Bailey said, adding that firefighters put the fire out in 30 minutes.

No one was home in the fire-damaged apartments, Bailey said.

He said the residents' belongings were destroyed, and the Red Cross was notified to help.

Firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire, but Bailey said they do not suspect foul play.

Steeplechase Apartments is owned by Infinity Management, which is based in Chicago.

Employees of the Lexington apartment complex would not comment yesterday on the fire.