A Virginia firefighter was injured while battling a two-alarm residential fire that claimed the life of one person Friday.
Richmond crews responded to a house fire that broke out just after 9:40 a.m., the department stated in an online update. As firefighters assessed the scene, they found heavy smoke coming from the home and encountered cluttered conditions inside.
While crews battled the fire, a mayday was called when a firefighter began falling through a hole on the second floor. He was able to catch himself as he started to fall, and his fellow firefighters pulled him back up.
The firefighter was safely helped outside the house and taken to the hospital. His injuries weren't considered life-threatening.
During the call, crews located a man on the second floor and immediately pulled him from the burning house, according to the department. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire just after 10:45 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
