Ceiling Collapse, Flashover: Two IL Firefighters Injured at Townhouse Fire

According to a report from The State Journal-Register, two members of the Springfield (IL) Fire Department (SFD) firefighters were injured while fighting a fire in a townhouse on Country Place just after 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. One firefighter was transported to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, while the other was sent to to Springfield Memorial Hospital.

Both injuries occurred within the first 30 minutes of arrival. A ceiling collapsed on one firefighter who was on a staircase, causing him to fall, injuring his head and neck.

The other firefighter was in a room that incurred a flashover event, Blough said.

The fire travelled through three of the four attached townhouses. SFD Chief Brandon Blough said that more than 40 SFD personnel fought the fire, making it one of the department’s largest responses in a decade or more. This also included nine engines being called to the scene, Blough added.

Blough said all residents of the four townhomes escaped to safety. However, one cat died.

Blough said “a significant portion of the building” was completely gutted, and according to a report from WAND the structures may be total losses.

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