Three Cal Fire Firefighters Hurt in Collapse

Nov. 13, 2011
COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. -- Three Cal Fire firefighters were injured late Friday, including a captain who was seriously hurt, when part of a burning two-story house collapsed. The captain was taken by air ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and was listed in serious condition Saturday afternoon, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. -- Three Cal Fire firefighters were injured late Friday, including a captain who was seriously hurt, when part of a burning two-story house collapsed.

The captain was taken by air ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and was listed in serious condition Saturday afternoon, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the fire. They were treated and released, Berlant said.

Cal Fire officials did not release the names of the injured firefighters, who are from the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit.

Residents unharmed

The fire occurred about 10:30 p.m. Friday at the home on Glen Side Court, just southeast of Saddle Creek Drive in Copperopolis.

Berlant said the residents reported the fire and made it out of the home unharmed.

Cal Fire firefighters responded to the burning home to assist the Copperopolis Fire Protection District.

While tackling the fire, Berlant said a "partial structural collapse" occurred. He said part of the roof and a wall collapsed.

Cal Fire is working with the Copperopolis Fire Protection District to investigate the incident. No further information was released.

Copyright 2011 The Modesto Bee. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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