WINCHESTER, Ky. (LEX 18) — Two men were arrested during a drug trafficking investigation that led to an apartment fire on North Main Street in Winchester Wednesday, according to police and fire officials.
The Winchester Police Department's Narcotics and Special Response Team executed a search warrant at 503 N. Main Street around 5:08 p.m. following the sixth controlled drug purchase from a resident over several months, police reported.
Officers immediately noticed smoke coming from underneath a bed after entering the apartment and quickly evacuated all residents to safety across the street. Police attempted to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful.
Winchester Fire/EMS responded as flames fully engulfed the upstairs apartment, with smoke and fire visible through windows and the roof. Firefighters quickly deployed and extinguished the blaze while rescuing numerous pets from downstairs apartments, according to police.
No injuries occurred to residents, first responders or pets during the incident.
Police arrested the resident on trafficking methamphetamine and a second man was arrested on an outstanding warrant, WPD noted.
All displaced residents were taken to the police department, where Red Cross representatives responded to arrange temporary housing. The Clark County Animal Shelter took custody of pets from the residences.
This is a developing story and LEX 18 will have additional information at it becomes available.
