Mich. FF Critical After Fall Through Floor

Aug. 16, 2010
A Flint firefighter who recently returned to work after being laid off is in critical condition after falling through the floor of a burning home early this morning.
A Flint firefighter who recently returned to work after being laid off is in critical condition after falling through the floor of a burning home early this morning (Aug. 16).

Crews responded to the fire on Wolcott Street near 8th Avenue at approximately 5 a.m. The department responded to a fire at around midnight at the same location.

A possible shooting occurred at the house late Sunday night (Aug. 15) and it is believe the fire was set in retaliation, according to Battalion Chief Andy Graves. He said it is currently unclear if the second fire was set or if it was a rekindle.

Firefighter Jeremy Turner was on a hose line and went through the front door of the structure before falling through the floor to the fully engulfed basement.

He was trapped in the fire for approximately 10 seconds before being pulled out by his colleagues.

"His partner on the hoseline was able to get a hold of him and call for help from other firefighters," Graves said.

The 31-year-old suffered burns to 30 percent of his body, including his hands, arms, chest, back and abdomen.

He was transported to Hurley Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition, but his injuries are described as non-life threatening.

Turner joined the department just over a year ago, but lost his position earlier this year during a round of layoffs. He returned in May after the city accepted a SAFER grant used to rehire some of those firefighters who were laid off.

He is married and his wife is currently eight-months pregnant with their first child.

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