TERRI SANGINITI
The News-Journal
A firefighter hospitalized after fighting a Drummond Ridge townhouse blaze was reported in critical but stable condition Monday at Crozer-Chester's burn center in Upland, Pa.
Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Company first assistant chief Kevin Eichinger was the most seriously injured of three firefighters who found themselves momentarily trapped on the second floor of a two-story wood frame town home at 24 Cartier Court.
The state Fire Marshal's Office ruled the fire accidental, caused by a faulty chimney igniting the surrounding structure, spokesman Willard F. Preston III said.
Eichinger was the officer in charge of the three-man crew attacking the interior fire.
"When it went sour on the second floor, that sent a tremendous amount of smoke and blast furnace heat up the stairway, trapping them," Aetna spokesman John H. Farrell IV said. "They had to come down the stairs through all that."
Farrell said fellow firefighters assisted two firefighters down the stairs of the burning house and had to pull Eichinger out of the first-floor window.
"We're still trying to piece together who came down the stairs in what order," Farrell said. "Until we talk to Kevin, we won't know."
Firefighters Abel Schall, 24, and Ray Johnson Jr., 21, were treated at Christiana Hospital for minor burns to their wrists.
Eichinger was flown to Crozer-Chester Medical Center and admitted in critical condition with burns to his face and neck.
A six-year veteran of the volunteer fire company, he is engaged to be married.
Preston said the blaze broke out about 7 p.m. and, by the time firefighters arrived, smoke was billowing from the residence.
One of the home's two occupants said he noticed sparks in the back yard and opened the sliding glass door, looked up and saw the top two feet of the chimney on fire and flames lapping onto the roof, Preston said.
Investigators found the fire originated in a concealed space surrounding the chimney and ignited the surrounding structure, heavily damaging the home.
Damages were estimated at $150,000.
Preston said the circumstances surrounding how Eichinger and the other two firefighters were injured remains under investigation.
"We don't have any specifics ... Obviously, we have to wait to talk to [Eichinger]," Preston said.
Aetna Deputy Chief Walter Meredith said he could sympathize with what Eichinger was going through because he, too, was burned while fighting an apartment fire back in 1995 at the Country Squire Apartments.
"I was out of work for a month and had to have skin grafts done to my face and hands," Meredith said. "Kevin's hands were not burned, but he's a lot worse."
Meredith said firefighters throughout the county have expressed concern for Eichinger's well-being.
"We have firefighters around the clock at the hospital with Kevin's family and fiancee, because they are part of our fire department family," Farrell said. "If they want anything or need anything, we'll be there to provide it."
Farrell said the house next door to the fire-ravaged home was gutted by fire 15 years ago.
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