Surgery Successful for Critical D.C. Firefighter
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sergeant Michael LaCore, one of four firefighters injured in a flashover Monday morning remains in critical condition today.
That's according to a statement released by District of Columbia Fire and EMS.
The department reported good news for LaCore -- saying his surgery at Washington Hospital Center yesterday was successful, and test results indicate no respiratory burns.
Lacore, 37, suffered third degree burns over 50 percent of his body -- mostly to his torso -- and is the most critically injured out of the four.
Meanwhile, firefighter Charlie Shyab was upgraded to fair condition and has been transferred to the Burn Stepdown Unit, a transition to less critical care.
Shayab suffered second and third degree burns over 20 percent of his body on his arms hands chest and neck.
Both Doug Donnelly and Kenneth Humphries were released from the hospital yesterday. Their progress continues to be excellent.
The preliminary cause of the fire was listed as the spontaneous combustion of oil-filled rags in the rear of the building, according to a statement later released by the department.
The fire then caused propane tanks nearby to vent and explode, catching the rear porch on fire. The blaze then crawled up the rear of the affected house and spread to porches on either side of the rowhouse.
Firefighters saw smoke and fire when they arrived at the townhouse under renovation on Fourth Street NE about 3:30 p.m.
Chief Dennis Rubin said soon after firefighters entered the building there was a mayday signal. They were quickly located and evacuated from the top floor.
The firefighters were rushed to Washington Hospital Center for treatment.
There were no reported civilian injuries, and the damage estimate was still being calculated.
Additional details about the two-alarm fire and those injured will be posted when they become available.
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