2 Phila. Firefighters Injured After Ladder Strikes Electrical Line
By Kim Glovas, Steve Beck and Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia fire officials say two firefighters fortunately escaped life-threatening injuries after a ladder they were taking down struck an electrical line.
The incident happened in the 2400 block of West Norris Street in North Philadelphia, as fire crews were wrapping up after extinguishing a small fire in the second floor of a home.
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The two firefighters, both assigned to Ladder Co. 14, had just finished extinguishing a small bedroom fire when their metal ladder they were lowering struck the electrical wire which, fire officials say, carried 7,500 volts.
Fortunately, the investigators add, the ladder fell back against the home, instead of staying in contact with the wire.
The two firefighters were rushed to Temple University Hospital.
The more seriously injured firefighter, Robert Taylor, a 14-year veteran, is being held overnight for observation, suffering third degree burns of his feet.
His fellow firefighter, Eugene Coulter, a nine-year veteran, was released from the hospital Monday afternoon.
"Members are always taught, from the very moment they enter the Philadelphia Fire Department, to look up (and) be aware of overhead obstructions, especially wires. We're speaking very prematurely, and don't know exactly what happened in this particular incident," said Fire department spokesman Capt. William Dixon.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal's Office.
