Roanoke, VA, Firefighters Call Mayday, Hurt Battling House Fire
Four Roanoke firefighters were injured, two seriously. while battling a house fire Thursday afternoon.
Within five minutes of firefighters calling a mayday after they couldn't leave the structure, a Rapid Intervention Team advised they were all out.
Two firefighters were hospitalized at a burn center and two others have been released, according to WSLS.
“Fireground operations are more complex in the icy conditions. Pulling hose, making entry, connecting to the hydrant is much more difficult when walking across ice. This is one of the things that we train for whether it is a rescue for a citizen or one of our own. We will continue to provide support for our team members and their families as they navigate the recovery process," Roanoke Fire Chief David Hoback said.
A resident was rescued through a first-floor window.
The original caller told 9-1-1 dispatchers there was dark smoke coming from the basement.
The cause is under investigation.
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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.