A fire at an Avondale office injured two firefighters and caused nearly $600,000 in damage late Wednesday night.
Shortly after 11:30 a.m., firefighters responded to a report of a fire alarm at 2909 Vernon Place . When they arrived, they found fire and smoke coming from the north side of the building.
While on the second floor, the fire built up considerable heat and smoke and a backdraft occurred. The small explosion from the backdraft forced firefighters to abandon their position and leave the building.
Two firefighters were hurt battling the three-alarm fire. One suffered burns to his ears, forehead and hair during the back draft. The other firefighter injured his wrist in a fall.
Fire officials said a large limb on a tree next to the building was struck by lighting and broke off onto the electrical service to the building. The broken wire ignited the outer wall, then fire entered the building.
A fire chief said 60 firefighters responded to the scene at some point overnight.
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