Fire Fighter Hurt While Battling Blaze At Modesto Home
MODESTO (CBS13) – A fire fighter who was injured battling an early morning blaze at a Modesto home is already out of the hospital saying he's 'just a little sore'.
The fire broke out in the basement of a vacant home at 206 Roselawn Avenue near John Thurman Field in southwest Modesto just before 4 a.m.
Fire fighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring out of every opening of the home and discovered an active fire in the basement of the Bungalow home.
Fire fighters were able to put out the flames in the basement and were working to make sure no other parts of the home were burning. That's when fire engineer James Black stepped on the stairway leading to the basement which gave way under his weight sending him tumbling eight feet to the basement.
"I was just helping the guys put out the fire in the back of the house and the floor gave way and I fell into the basement," Black explained after returning from the hospital after being checked out. "I was burned on my left calf, it's nothing serious. And my shoulder and back are sore."
Other fire fighters witnessed his fall and immediately made a 'Mayday' call. While fighting the blaze, fire fighter Jim Black fell through the floor into the basement.
Black said he actually fell head first into the basement. He was able to get out under his own power. He was transported to the hospital and released by 7 a.m. Black has been relieved from duty, but is expected to return next week.
Neighbors tell CBS13 and fire fighters that the home is regular hangout for transients.
Modesto Fire Department investigators are looking into the cause of the fire that caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.
