Wall Collapses on Ga. Firefighters Battling Blaze

A wall collapsed on two DeKalb County firefighters yesterday morning during the overhaul stages of an apartment fire that officials believe is suspicious, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The firefighters were conscious and alert when treated by paramedics and one was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital while the other was taken to Atlanta Medical Center.

Both firefighters were kept overnight at the hospital with minor injuries. One will be released today while the other will be released no later than Thursday.

The firefighters were using tools to open walls, ceilings and floors looking for hidden pockets of fire when the collapse occurred.

"Crews were overhauling on the back of the building when part of the building collapsed and were struck by falling debris." Assistant Chief Steve Ham told the newspaper.

When crews arrived firefighters arrived at the at the Liberty Landing apartment complex in Stone Mountain at approximately 9:45 a.m., the three-story building was engulfed in flames.

While officials believe the fire is suspicious, they say they are waiting to get samples back to before declaring it arson.

"We responded to that building about a week ago on an attempted arson fire that didn't get going," Deputy Chief William Smith told the newspaper. "They didn't know what they were doing. (This one) is definitely suspicious."