GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A house fire Thursday afternoon injured one firefighter and two residents.
Grand Rapids Fire Department arrived at the house in the 500 Block of Howard Street S.E. around 3:40 p.m. to find heavy smoke.
A woman who lived in the home and has to use a wheelchair was found outside when the department got to the scene. Firefighters were told her neighbors helped her escape. They were also told there was another person still in the back of the home.
According to the department, firefighters moved to the last known location of the man inside the home to rescue him. As they entered, the room flashed over.
A flashover occurs when nearly every combustible item in the space reaches its ignition temperature simultaneously and burns with a high-heat flame. The intensity of the fire results in a low probability of survival, the department said.
The flashover injured a firefighter and burned through his personal protective equipment. He was able to exit the home and was transported to the emergency room with moderate second-degree burns.
The firefighter was released after a few hours and is recovering at home.
The woman was sent to the hospital with a smoke inhalation injury and the man was located outside of the home with an unspecified injury. He was also taken to the emergency room.
There are currently no updates on the condition of either victim.
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