The Associated Press
MADISON, Ind. — Flames and smoke Wednesday evening engulfed the 154-year-old Jefferson County Courthouse, which crews had been working to renovate in preparation for Madison’s bicentennial next month.
The dome and the courthouse’s central tower appeared to be severely damaged in video shown on television.
Fire crews from across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky were called to the scenic Ohio River city to battle the blaze. Smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the air and flames shot out the top of the building.
Video on Louisville, Ky., television station WHAS showed shackled inmates evacuated from the adjacent jail and loaded onto waiting school buses.
Firefighters declared the fire under tentative control about 9 p.m., Madison police dispatcher Larry Pfeiffer said.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Chad Lewis said crews had just finished painting the dome in preparation for Madison’s bicentennial, June 6-14. Madison Fire Chief Steve Horton said the courthouse had been worked on earlier in the day.