Four Minn. Firefighters Hurt Fighting House Fire
Source Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Jan. 02--Four St. Paul firefighters were injured while battling a house fire in the 1400 block of St. Albans Street Monday morning.
A passerby reported the fire at a house in the 1400 block of St. Albans Street just after 8 a.m., according to authorities.
One firefighter was injured when he entered the burning home and fell through the floor into the basement. He was stuck in the basement for several minutes and suffered second-degree burns on his leg. He was rescued by fellow firefighters and treated at Regions Hospital, said St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard.
Two other firefighters were treated at Regions for smoke inhalation and another for slipping and falling on the ice.
The cause of the fire, which began in the basement and spread into the attic, is still under investigation. The home was left unihabitable from extensive smoke, fire and water damage, Zaccard said.
The home was not occupied at the time of the fire. The owners were on vacation, Zaccard said.
Zaccard said that although this house is an older structure, falling through floors while battling fires is becoming more common because newer homes are often built with lightweight trussing that burns very quickly.
