Firefighters responded to smoke in an apartment building in Ashland on Wednesday morning.
Just before 6:00am, emergency personnel were called to 938 West Centre Street in Ashland for smoke in an apartment building. The caller to 911 that she could smell smoke and there was smoke in a hallway to her apartment building.
Firefighters arrived to find the same as reported.
With the help of thermal imaging cameras, firefighters were able to locate an extension cord being used on the second floor of the building that was connected to a hot water heater. The cord had melted completely in a section that was being ran down to the first floor.
No visible fire was found, but there were some hot spots.
Firefighters extended one line into service, ventilated the building, and cleared the scene around 7:00am.
Responding to the scene were firefighters from the American Hose Company, Washington Fire Company, and Rangers Hose Company from Girardville.
Residents that lived in the building were allowed to return as firefighters cleared.
Ashland Fire Chief Phil Groody stressed the proper use of extension cords and said if this hadn't been caught in time, the situation would have been a lot worse.
