SAN FRANCISCO -- One firefighter was battling for his life early Thursday and five others were hospitalized with lesser injuries after a roof collapsed on them while they fought a three-alarm blaze raging through a vacant home.
San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Ken Smith said the intensity of the blaze surprised arriving firefighters as they charged into the front of the home. The fire was hidden -- raging behind walls, in the attic and at the rear of the structure.
"It was a tough fire for us," Smith said. "The building is vacant -- The fire had its leeway on us before we got here. It was already growing. It was already raging. It was already hot. Once the firefighters hit the front door they were face with a fierce battle."
At one point the conditions forced crews to retreat and caused a large portion of the structure's roof to collapse on the firefighters in the front of the home.
Smith said one male firefighter suffered from major gas and smoke inhalation and was in critical condition. The next 72 hours would determine if he would survive. Five others were hospitalized in stable condition suffering from minor burns, smoke inhalation and an injured knee.
The injuries were sustained in the extremely hot and fast-moving blaze first reported at about 12:30 a.m. at a vacant two-story residence at 627 Felton St., Smith said.
Before the fire was declared under control at 1:45 a.m., more than 180 fire department personnel battled aggressive flames, heavy smoke and extreme heat.
Republished with permission from KTVU.com
