Three Vancouver, WA, Firefighters Shocked Rescuing Person from Downed Power Line
Dec. 28—A Vancouver resident was hospitalized in critical condition and three firefighters received electrical shocks after a downed powerline fell on a house Friday near Edgewood Park.
At 9:09 p.m. Friday, Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched to 616 Ash St. in Vancouver after a report of a large powerline had dropped to the ground, resulting in several spot fires including an RV fire.
Firefighters arrived to find one victim unable to move and calling for help. During efforts to reach the victim, three firefighters received electrical shocks from the ground and surrounding structures being charged with high voltage power.
The victim was moved to an ambulance to receive emergency medical treatment before being transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland in critical condition.
Power was shut off to the entire neighborhood by the Clark Public Utilities, allowing firefighters to extinguish the RV fire and a second fire found in the main house.
The three firefighters who received electrical shocks were transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Two firefighters returned to duty while a third was kept overnight for observation.
The Vancouver Fire Marshall Office is investigating the incident.
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