LOS ANGELES --
An Los Angeles firefighter who fell 18-feet through the roof of a burning building in Jefferson Park is hospitalized in serious condition with broken bones, burns and cuts.
Images | Video
He was identified as Cheyane Caldwell, 30, a five-year veteran of the department, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
"He has sustained some burns, but the good thing is that he is alert, he is conscious, and we feel that his prognosis is good," Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Hill told reporters.
At an afternoon news conference, fire officials said Caldwell is expected to recover.
The accident occurred Tuesday night during a two-hour inferno that gutted a commercial building.
Caldwell sustained second and third-degree burns to his hands and face, Pat Marek of the Los Angeles Fire Department told reporters.
The fire was reported in a commercial structure at 5111 Adams Blvd., near La Brea Avenue, at 8:20 p.m. and was still burning more than two hours later, Marek said.
Firefighters remained on the scene early Wednesday, raking over the ruins of the business and looking of clues as to the cause. Crews said security doors and gates hindered their efforts.
