A Fresno firefighter is in critical condition after falling through the roof of a house and being engulfed by flames.
The firefighter, a 25-year veteran, was trying to put out a garage fire when the roof he was standing on collapsed and he fell into the burning home.
The firefighter, who has not been named, underwent surgery on Sunday and was being treated in the burns unit, according to KFSN-TV in Fresno. More surgery is necessary before the full extent of his injuries is known.
“I believe his burns were on his hands, around his face. He did have his mask intact. There were some other burns on his back, around his legs, so they’re pretty much in all areas of his body,” said Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis.
The incident was captured on camera by Sooji Lee, an onlooker.
“I honestly didn’t think he was going to make it,” Lee told KFSN.
The minute and a half long video shows other firefighters tearing down the garage door in an effort to rescue the injured firefighter.
According to NBC News, it took his colleagues three minutes to pull him out. He was burned over 65% of his body, with 40% of his body suffering third degree burns, said Donis.
“Get him out!” an onlooker is heard yelling in the background.
“Sounds from the public were traumatizing in and of themselves. We could hear people screaming. We could hear people running in, trying to help,” said Fresno Fire Battalion Chief Todd Tuggle.
