Safety & Health

Firefighter Falls Through Roof at Calif. Building Fire

Aug. 30, 2014

He was on the roof to perform ventilation when he fell 20 feet.

Source The Sacramento Bee

Aug. 29--A firefighter fell through the roof of a burning commercial building in Arden Arcade on Friday.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District firefighter fell about 20 feet onto the floor of the structure, but suffered only minor injuries, according to a fire spokesman.

Crews were called to the 4600 block of Pasadena Avenue near Auburn Boulevard about 10:15 a.m. Friday. Firefighters began stretching hose lines to the burning building, opening it up and conducting searches.

"As part of that, one of our ladder companies was up on the roof, doing ventilation operations when a firefighter went through the roof," said Battalion Chief Chris Quinn.

Crews went in to help the firefighter, who was able to walk out.

"He is conscious, alert and oriented," said Quinn. "It was a pretty good fall, probably some 20 feet at least from the roof to the ground."

The firefighter was taken to UC Davis Medical Center.

The roof was burned through, Quinn said. The firefighter had on full firefighter gear and breathing apparatus, he said.

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