Calif. Firefighters Injured in Garage Fire

Jan. 18, 2013
Two firefighters -- one from Costa Mesa and one from Newport Beach -- were injured while battling a garage fire near city limits Thursday morning.

Jan. 18--Two firefighters -- one from Costa Mesa and one from Newport Beach -- were injured while battling a garage fire near city limits Thursday morning, authorities said.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, said officials with the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach fire departments.

About 15 Newport Beach and Costa Mesa fire trucks and about 35 firefighters responded to the blaze in the 300 block of 23rd Street in Costa Mesa at about 11:16 a.m, said Costa Mesa Fire Battalion Chief Kershaw.

There, they found the garage "fully involved" in flames. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the house, he said. Damage estimates were not yet available.

The fire was under control within about 20 minutes of the initial call, Kershaw said.

The injured firefighters were taken to local hospitals, and both were released Thursday.

The Costa Mesa firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, Kershaw said.

The Newport Beach firefighter was treated for minor burns, said Newport Beach Fire Division Chief Ralph Restadius.

"There was significant damage to his coat and pants," he said. "But it did its job."

--Jill Cowan

Copyright 2013 - Daily Pilot, Costa Mesa, Calif.

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