Sacramento Fire Department Firefighters Hurt In Flashover

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Sacramento Fire Department Firefighters Hurt In Flashover

Yesterday morning four firefighters were hurt Tuesday while battling a house blaze in the Natomas area of Sacramento.

IA: 09:30 Structure Fire - The two-alarm fire

Location: 17 Stilt Court. Natomas area- Sacramento

Firefighters arrived in about six minutes and reported heavy smoke and fire showing...they entered and made their way upstairs when the heavy heat quickly hit them. They became trapped as the fire burned through their hoseline.

Injuries: Jim Doucette, spokesman for Sacramento Fire Department, said one firefighter suffered serious burns, while two others received minor burns. All are expected to survive, he said.
Doucette said the firefighters were inside of the burning two-story home when the flames rapidly accelerated, which is known as a flashover.
One of the firefighters inside the house jumped out of a upstairs window to escape, and the others came down the stairs.

The Injured: All the firefighters suffered burn injuries, with the Engine Captain receiving burns to his hands and upper torso area.

Captain Jeffery Helvin, 39, was taken the hospital for serious injuries. The other three firefighters, Christopher Berquist, 30, Bruce Gee, 26, and Eric Ely, 23, were treated and released for moderate to minor burns.

Cause: The residents of the house were not home. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008