Two IA Firefighters Seriously Injured Battling Residential Fire

Two Iowa firefighters were seriously injured battling an apartment fire early Sunday.

The fire broke out just after 1:15 a.m. at Westdale Court Apartments in Cedar Rapids, the city fire department stated in an update on social media. As crews began battling the flames coming from the kitchen of one of the units in the two-story, multi-family complex, they suddenly lost water pressure in the hose line.

The loss in water pressure created a catastrophic failure in the hose line and injured two firefighters who were outside the building. One firefighter lost consciousness after being struck in the head, and a blow to the chest knocked another firefighter to the ground, according to the department.

Both firefighters were initially taken to UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital, and the firefighter who was struck in the head was eventually transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Although serious, their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Frigid conditions created difficulties for firefighters, with ice and snow blocking hydrants and a brutal wind chill factor creating dangers for firefighters. Crews eventually were able to get the fire under control by about 2:30 a.m. 

No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.