Watch: Stairwell Collapse, Rescue Effort at Catskill, NY, House Fire
When the stairs collapsed, a Catskill firefighter fell from the second floor into the basement.
Seconds later, Firefighter Will Rogers called a mayday.
The stairwell collapsed as well as Lt. Ben Swart's rescue effort were captured on his helmet cam, according to WRGB reported.
Catskill fire officials noted in a statement: "Rogers reportedly had good visibility in the basement, knew the fire was above him, and was able to get out on his own. But the lieutenant lost verbal contact and did not know the firefighter was safe."
Losing verbal contact with Rogers was especially difficult as Swart had been in a previous incident where the firefighter involved in a mayday incident didn't make it out.
Fire officials said the mayday wasn't cleared after Rogers exited the basement through a window.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.