Suspect charged with arson in connection to large fire in downtown London
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- Firefighters rescued one occupant from a large downtown law office fire.
- Main Street blocked between 3rd and 8th Street during the response.
- Police and fire investigators are probing cause; victim transported to Lexington.
One person has been charged with arson in connection to a large fire in a downtown London law office that has left a portion of Main Street closed Tuesday.
The fire happened around 4:52 a.m. at the Cunnagin & Cunnagin law building on Main Street, located across from the Laurel County Courthouse. London police Major Bobby Day said firefighters were returning to the station from an unrelated call when they noticed heavy smoke coming from the building.
The London Fire Department described the blaze as a large commercial structure fire, and multiple fire departments from surrounding areas helped.
One person was rescued from the building by firefighters, who was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital and is in good condition, according to Mayor Randall Weddle. Later Tuesday, Day announced the person rescued from the building, Scottie Seeley, 56, of London, was charged with second-degree arson and third-degree burglary.
“First-arriving firefighters made entry under heavy conditions and successfully removed an occupant from the structure,” Battalion Chief Brandon Wagers wrote in a Facebook post. “This is exactly why we are here for the community! Prayers for the person that was pulled out.”
Detectives interviewed potential witnesses and Seeley. Day said their investigation led to charging Seeley, who remains hospitalized.
Seeley will be booked into the Laurel County Detention Center when he’s released from the hospital, Day said.
The fire has been put out, according to Weddle, but officials have Main Street blocked off between 3rd Street and 8th Street. Around 9 a.m., Weddle said he anticipates the road being shut down for a few more hours.
Firefighters are helping the property owners obtain items that can be saved, Weddle said.
The London Police Department said it has notified the Laurel County School System about traffic disruptions from the fire.
Officials with the police and fire departments are investigating the fire, the cause of which is unknown.
About a month ago, the fire department faced massive cuts amid a conflict surrounding the city budget. Fearing a fiscal emergency from years of overcharged garbage fees, the London City Council passed an amended budget would have resulted in 51 jobs being cut, including deep losses to the police, fire IT and public works departments, Weddle previously said.
The argument over the budget wound up in court, and Circuit Judge Samuel Spalding encouraged the council and Weddle to resolve the issues outside a courtroom.
Hours after a Jan. 5 hearing, Weddle and the council passed an emergency ordinance that resolved the city’s financial issues and allowed city departments to provide necessary services to the community, court documents say.
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 9:39 AM.
