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Crews worked to extinguish a vacant house fire Saturday morning.

Crews were called to the 400 block of Dr. W.J. Hodge Street around 5:13 am. When they got to the scene, they saw a vacant two-story house engulfed in flames.

Demetra Yarbrough says the fires near her street in the Russell neighborhood have increased.

“Actually, I worry about it a lot. I've told my son that I'm ready to move out of the West End,” Yarbrough said. “I have never seen any fires around here until the last month when the first house caught on fire on my corner.”

The Louisville Fire Department says as temperatures drop, they see more people with nowhere to go living in empty houses.

“In those cold months, they use warming fires. They use fires to cook some food, and the number one cause of structure fires is unattended cooking,” said Maj. Bobby Cooper, Louisville Fire Department.

This is the sixth vacant property Louisville Fire Department has responded to in a little over a week, and the flames weren't contained to just this home. They spread causing damage to the siding of the house next door. No one was hurt as crews worked to extinguish the fire. The cause is under investigation.

Because the houses in the neighborhood are just feet apart some neighbors are concerned their homes could be at risk too.

“These houses are so close together, so I would think that I would receive some damage if this house ever was set or caught on fire,” said Veronze Johnson.

The Louisville Fire Department is encouraging people to report nuisance or properties that need to be boarded up to 311. If you think there is illegal activity or a threat to life at a vacant property, call 911.

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