House fire breaks out as Lexington police execute search warrant

While Lexington police were executing a search warrant Thursday night on Holly Springs Drive, they realized the house they were investigating was filling with smoke.

Earlier, at about 1:30 p.m., officers had been called to the house to assist paramedics on a medical call, police Lt. Jackie Newman said. A man in his seventies had reportedly fallen and hit his head.

The man, who is cared for by his wife, was taken to a Lexington hospital in serious condition, Newman said. While the man was there, officers learned that he been on the floor for a while, possibly days.

Investigators obtained a warrant to search the couple’s home on Holly Springs Drive, and while they were there a fire broke out, Newman said. The man’s wife was reportedly at the hospital with him when the fire started.

The fire was confined to the basement of the house, Fire Battalion Chief Mark Harvey said. Firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly and there were no injuries.

Arson investigators and Lexington police detectives were at the house investigating Thursday night. As of about 9 p.m., investigators had no reason to think the fire was intentionally set, Newman said.

This story was originally published September 28, 2017 at 10:26 PM with the headline "House fire breaks out as Lexington police execute search warrant."