PITTSBURGH — Four Pittsburgh firefighters have been burned but are expected to be released after treatment after they were caught in a flashover during a house fire.


The firefighters were battling a blaze early Thursday in the city's Greenfield neighborhood when the incident occurred. A flashover occurs when all the combustible material in a confined area catches fire at once because of the intense heat.

The situation kept other firefighters from reaching those injured, but they were able to escape. The occupants of the home had previously escaped without injury.

Their names have yet to be released, but officials say one firefighter was burned on his hands, the other on his ears, and a third on the back of his neck. The fourth firefighter's injuries weren't detailed, but none of the men was expected to remain at UPMC Mercy hospital.

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