Ind. Firefighter Burned at House Fire is Improving

March 20, 2013
A Benton Harbor firefighter who was burned when he entered a structure fire by himself is recovering from the burns he sustained to his hands, ears, forehead and back.

BENTON HARBOR – A Benton Harbor firefighter severely burned in a house fire is improving.

Lt. Douglas Bell is listed in good condition at a Kalamazoo hospital.

Bell had severe burns on his hands and less severe burns on his ears, forehead, and back.

He was the only firefighter to enter a burning home just after midnight last Thursday.

In Benton Harbor, some firefighters have been replaced with cross trained public safety officers, basically police who also fight fires.

Other public safety officers were outside the burning home and did not enter when Bell did.

Michigan OSHA is investigating.

Copyright 2013 WSBT-TVDistributed by Newsbank, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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