Virginia Firefighters Save Man From Apartment Blaze

Petersburg's Bravest saved a 53-year-old man from his burning apartment at 500 Farmer Street on Dec 7.

The call was dispatched at 1510 hours.

Petersburg Engines 2, 3, 4 and 5 rolled into action. Truck 1, Unit 530 and several available fire chiefs also responded.

Captain Steve Yohe from Petersburg fire department said arriving firefighters found the apartment living room in flames and an occupant who had collapsed.

Firefighters pulled the resident from the fire.

" The male victim wasn't breathing," Yohe explained. "Immediate CPR was initiated on the patient."

As soon as the patient was clear of danger Yohe said an agressive interior attack on the fire commenced.

Captain Yohe said the man suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center, where Med-flight was summoned and he was then transported to VCU Medical Center.

The fire was marked under control at 1534 hours.

Fort Lee Fire Department provided Engine 8 and Chesterfield Fire and EMS dispatched Ettrick Truck 12 and Engine 12 to provide station fill ins.

Damage estimate is around $5,000, Yohe stated.

The cause is under investigation but is believed to have been sparked by Christmas decorations.