Flashover Injures Three Kentucky Firefighters

Dec. 5, 2014
Lexington firefighters were preparing to enter the first floor when the flashover occurred.

Three Lexington firefighters were injured when a fire flashed over Thursday.

Crews were called out to Delmont Drive around 1:30 p.m.

"There was very little smoke and flame at first, but things went downhill very quickly," Battalion Chief Joe Best told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "It could have been very serious."

Firefighters had already entered the basement of the home through the rear while other firefighters were getting ready to enter the first floor.

As crews got close to the front of the home, the flashover occured.

"It can be a deadly situation for firefighters, and we were very fortunate that those men had not yet entered the front of the house," according to Best.

A second alarm was called to help crews that were already on the scene.

He said the firefighters suffered minor injuries, including one who had a burn on his hand. None required a trip to the hospital.

The fire appears to have started in the basement and it caused signifcant damage to the home.

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