Two Prince George's County firefighters, who were seriously injured while fighting a house fire in Riverdale, remained in critical but stable condition Sunday, according to their families.
Bladensburg volunteer firefighter Ethan Sorrell, 21, remained intubated but was conscious at the Washington Hospital Center's burn unit. He suffered burns to his airway.
Kevin O'Toole, 22, also a Bladensburg volunteer firefighter, had burns over 40 percent of his body and was expected to remain in the hospital's burn unit for at least six weeks, according to fire officials, citing O'Toole's father, Jeff.
O'Toole also will require an additional six months of physical rehabilitation, his father said.
Family members provided an update on the condition of the two men Sunday afternoon, fire officials said.
A third firefighter from Riverdale, Michael McClary, 19, was released Saturday from the hospital. McClary suffered injuries to his ribs and burns to both hands, officials said.
In total, seven Prince George's County firefighters were injured when the house fire broke out around 9 p.m. Friday in the 6400 block of 57th Avenue. The other four firefighters were treated and released overnight Friday.
The vacant, one-story home was in flames when firefighters arrived.
Preliminary reports indicate that a sudden rush of air, fanned by high winds, entered from the rear of the house either from a door or window being opened or broken when firefighters began attacking the blaze. The sudden rush of fresh air created a "fireball" inside, engulfing the firefighters, officials said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
