Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on January 4, 2010 at 10:53pm

Firefighter critical after Sunday blaze downtown

Monday, January 4, 2010 9:55 AM CST

Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Lt. David Curlin was in critical but stable condition at a Little Rock hospital Sunday night after he was injured at a fire on Main Street.

Lt. Shauwn Howell said Curlin sustained multiple injuries including internal bleeding and a concussion after being trapped when part of a wall at 604 S. Main St., fell on him.

Howell said the building, which housed Clements Office Center, was a total loss, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Firefighters responded to the first alarm at 4:45 a.m., Sunday and Howell said they were on the scene for about six hours before bringing the blaze under control.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bryce Zitterich on January 5, 2010 at 1:09am

Lt.. Shauwn Howell explains what happened. "There was a lot of smoke, they couldn't see and started hearing things pop and fall. So they said let's back up and re-group."

Lt David Curlin and others were on their way back out of the Clemments Office Center early Sunday morning when the wall of the second story collapsed, pinning Curlin under a heavy metal beam. The hose he manned is still trapped under the debris.

Howell says, "Fellow firefighters had to come to his rescue using everything they could get their hands on, the jaws of life, shovels, scoops, hands, just doing everything they can to free him from the entrapment up under the debris."

Curlin is a 14-year veteran of the Pine Bluff Fire Department and a popular fixture at station three.

In Maumelle they want his family to know that firefighters everywhere share their concern.

Copper says, "David was one of them that loved his job. The times I worked down there with him making calls, it was something that he loved doing."

Pam Curlin, David's wife says, "There is not enough thanks for everyone who's laid a helping hand on my husband, and all the prayers that we will never know that were said by people that don't even know him."

Curlin is in serious condition with a broken leg and arm and several internal injuries.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion