Firefighter Falls Off Roof At 2-Alarm Fire In Norwood
NORWOOD (CBS) -- One firefighter was injured battling a two-alarm fire in Norwood on Friday after he fell off the roof of an apartment complex, officials said.
Firefighters were still on the scene of the blaze at Norwest Apartments, located at 802 Norwest Drive. The injured firefighter was transported to a nearby field where crews transferred the firefighter into a medical helicopter.
"He landed on his feet so he's got some lower extremity injuries," said Dennis Mawn, a Norwood firefighter. "I saw him before he lifted off on the medflight, he's in good spirits. . . the news is good."
The firefighter was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital with two broken feet but was in good shape, officials said. Firefighters said their colleague has been with the Norwood department for five years and has a baby on the way.
"Pray for Norwood Firefighter who fell off a roof at a fire just now, being Med flighted," tweeted Edward Kelly, past president of Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718.
Norwood Fire Lt. George Morrice said the peaked and sloped roof made for a difficult situation.
"It's part of a very dangerous job that we do," he said. "We're very grateful knowing that his injuries are non-life-threatening at this time. Right now, we're very concerned for him and for his family."
Thierno Sylla is the next-door neighbor of the second floor unit where the fire is believed to have started. He has lived here for six months.
"They just said you could go back in and grab a few things to spend the night elsewhere," he said. "There's no power, no heat so obviously we can't stay here. It smells like smoke. The window in the kitchen is broken."
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