Virginia Firefighters Take Icy Plunge

Feb. 14, 2006
They had arrived to fight a two-alarm blaze

Two Fairfax County firefighters fell into a swimming pool early Tuesday morning while fighting a fire.

Slideshow: Images From Scene

Officials said firefighters were called to fight a blaze about 1:45 a.m. in the 9500 block of Burning Branch Road in Burke, Va.

Fire department spokesman Lt. Raul Castillo said first arriving units found heavy fire on the first floor of the home and immediately called for a second alarm.

Castillo said when two firefighters went to the rear of the home to assess the situation, one firefighter fell into the icy pool. Officials said the second firefighter fell in when he went to the aid of the first firefighter.

Castillo said the firefighters didn't know the pool was there. He said the pool was covered with a tarp, which was also covered with snow.

The two firefighters were quickly removed from the pool and taken to a firehouse so they could change into warm clothes.

Castillo said Fairfax County requires at least a 4-foot fence around pools with a self-closing, self-latching door and a power safety cover.

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