AFFTON, Mo. - Four firefighters are recovering after they were hurt battling a blaze in south St. Louis County.

The fire broke out Monday afternoon in Affton. KMOX-TV reports that two firefighters were hospitalized and two others treated at the scene.

Firefighters thought the elderly homeowner was inside and went in to get him. In fact, Good Samaritans had already rescued the man.

Mehlville Fire Chief Tim White says the roof trusses came down, hitting one rescuer in the helmet. He is being treated for second-degree burns.

Another firefighter is hospitalized with a back injury from falling debris.

At one point, flames were shooting 30 feet into the air. But firefighters kept the blaze from spreading to neighboring homes.

The cause is under investigation.
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Information from: KMOX-AM, http://www.kmox.com

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