Ventilated Attic Still "Lit Up"
FOUR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, FIREFIGHTERS were injured Thursday night at a fire in a 1-½ story wood frame home in the West Englewood section of the city. In a report updated 20 minutes before this posting, the Chicago Tribune relays that:
Two of the injured firefighters suffered burns to their hands and faces. One of them also suffered burns to his respiratory system and a breathing tube had to be inserted, officials said.
Chicago Tribune photo
Both were taken in serious to critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and were transferred to the burn unit at Loyola University Hospita, Hoff said.
A third firefighter was also taken in serious to critical condition to Loyola, but details of his injuries were not known.
A fourth firefighter was taken in fair condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, said Fire Department Chief Kevin MacGregor. He apparently suffered from exhaustion, officials said.
The fire started shortly before 7 pm Central and the units found a working fire on the top half-floor. While the truckies went to the roof and opened it up quickly, the hose crews made an interior attack on the fire.
Chicago Tribune
While they were operating on the fire floor, some flames flared up behind them trapping them from the exit. Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff described it:
"They were on the second floor. The officer and the nozzle man were up on the second floor when this thing lit up on them. And they both were removed. They called mayday. As soon as they called for help, they were both removed outside."
One of the critically injured is a captain with 30 years on the job. WFLD-TV Ch. 32 filed this video report:
Two Firefighters Seriously Injured in Englewood Attic Fire: MyFoxCHICAGO.com
The fire commissioner is expected to hold a press briefing at 10 am Central today.
Chicago Area Fire is posting updates as they come in and is a good source for the latest news on the fire. CLICK HERE and scroll down through the postings.
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- Chicago Commissioner Robert Hoff signs off – March 5, 2012
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- Four Chicago FF’s Injured in Stairway Collapse – April 13, 2013
- Aussie Firefighters Burned During S & R – April 9, 2013
