Falling Ceiling Knocks Out CT Firefighter
By Jim Shay
Source Connecticut Post, Bridgeport, Conn.
NORWALK, CT—A firefighter was injured after a lightning strike sparked a fire that heavily damaged a Richlee Road house late Monday afternoon.
The two occupants of the home, two dogs and a cat were unharmed in the blaze, fire officials said.
The firefighter was hurt when sections of the ceiling fell on him knocking him temporarily unconscious. Firefighters that were in the immediate area helped remove the firefighter out of the house
He was later transported to Norwalk Hospital by paramedics, that responded to the scene. The firefighter was undergoing tests and was in “good spirits,” at Norwalk Hospital, the department said.
Firefighters responded to a reported lightning strike to a home at 1 Richlee Road, Monday at 4:50 pm.
While responding, the call was upgraded to a working structure fire, with the occupant leaving the home with his two dogs.
“Upon arrival at the split level ranch style home, heavy fire was engulfing the rear corner and had worked its way into the interior, of the home,” the department posted on its Facebook page.
“Firefighters made entry through the front door to fight the fire that had engulfed the kitchen, dining room and living room. At the same time firefighters contended with a 120-gallon propane tank against the rear of the home, that was blowing off pressure with a 40-foot fireball.
“Fire crews cooled the propane tank to prevent a failure, until the contents were completely expelled through the relief valve.”
The fire was placed under control at 5:25 p.m. with firefighters leaving the scene by 7 p.m.
The Red Cross responded and made arrangements for the two adult occupants of the home along with their 2 dogs and cat that was found by firefighters in a downstairs laundry room unharmed.
The house was posted unfit for occupancy and Fire Inspector Kosmas Kalmanidis is investigating the exact cause of the blaze.
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