Friday, February 29, 2008

This morning the Grove City VFD (PA) was dispatched to a dwelling fire with reported persons trapped at a side by side duplex. Additional alarms were called for from the Pine Twp FD and a RIT from East End VFD. The 1st in crews initiated fire attack and started a search on the less involved side. The already difficult conditions deteriorated further and the evacuation signals were sounded via radio and apparatus air horns. The RIT was in the process of assisting with laddering the building when one of the Firefighters from the search team came out the front door. He advised that there was still one Firefighter still upstairs. The RIT was deployed and found the other Firefighter. He was removed from the building within minutes. Both firefighters were transported to Grove City Medical Center with serious burns. Both firefighters were transferred to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. As of 1000 hours, 1 Firefighter was in surgery and in critical condition and the other Firefighter was in stable condition. A civilian is also reported to have been killed at that fire. Updates to follow.

Story copied from www.firefighterclosecalls.com

Badgers Comments:
Being in the Pittsburgh area, this is a local fire for us. As of this morning, I do not know any additional "official" information on the injured firefighters. For those in the Pittsburgh region, there is a thread on The Watch Desk (Allegheny County) seeking donations to assist the family, as they stay in Pittsburgh to be near their loved ones.

RIT's were on site and insturmental in the resuce. Excellent job!

Please take a moment, and pray for the safe recovery of these two fine firefighters.

Badger
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