Busy Night for Bardstown First Responders: Building Collapse, Multiple Crashes, One Fatal
BARDSTOWN, KY — July 24, 2025 — First responders in Bardstown were pushed to their limits overnight after a series of unrelated but critical incidents unfolded across the city between 11:00 p.m. Wednesday and 2:00 a.m. Thursday. The night included a structural collapse, two vehicle accidents—one of them fatal—and extensive coordination between Bardstown Fire, Police, and EMS teams.
Ceiling Collapse on N. 3rd Street
At 11:19 p.m., Bardstown Fire Department crews were dispatched to the 800 block of North 3rd Street following reports of a building collapse. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that a water leak on the upper floor had caused the ceiling of the floor below to collapse. Fortunately, no occupants were injured.
Fire crews quickly secured the scene, ensured no one was trapped, and assessed the structural integrity of the affected area. Car-2 remained on site to wrap up the response as additional calls began pouring in.
Injury Accident on E. O’Bryan Avenue
Just 28 minutes later, at 11:47 p.m., Bardstown Fire received a second dispatch call — this time for an injury vehicle accident on East O’Bryan Avenue. Units E2 and L1 cleared from the collapse scene and responded promptly.
Emergency crews arrived to find a patient needing immediate medical care. Firefighters assisted Nelson County EMS (NCEMS) with stabilizing the individual and safely transporting them to UofL Hospital. The patient’s current condition has not been disclosed.
Fatal Crash at the Old Courthouse
The most serious incident occurred shortly after midnight. At 12:06 a.m., Bardstown units were dispatched to the historic Old Courthouse downtown, where a vehicle had crashed into a building.
Crews arrived to find one occupant trapped inside the vehicle, which had sustained significant front-end damage. Tragically, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The Bardstown Police Department is now leading a death investigation into the crash. The identity of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Fire crews remained on scene assisting police and securing the structural integrity of the building until approximately 2:00 a.m. The area around the courthouse was temporarily cordoned off during the investigation.
City Responds to Intense Night of Emergencies
Officials from Bardstown Fire commended the coordination and rapid response efforts made by all agencies involved.
“This was a demanding and emotionally intense night for our first responders,” said a department spokesperson. “From a structural collapse to two back-to-back accidents—including a tragic fatality—our crews worked tirelessly to protect lives and ensure public safety.”
Community members took to social media late Wednesday night, sharing concern and gratitude for the emergency personnel visible across the city.
How to Help / Contact Authorities
- If you witnessed any of the incidents or have dashcam footage related to the downtown crash, contact the Bardstown Police Department at (502) 348-6811.
- For safety concerns regarding the structural collapse, reach out to the Bardstown Fire Department at (502) 348-8220.
More information is expected to be released as investigations continue. The city is also expected to inspect the affected structure on N. 3rd Street for potential safety code violations.