Officials: Firefighter Hospitalized After Early Morning House Fire

Officials are investigating an early morning fire that injured a Wilmington firefighter Monday.

At 1:03 AM Wilmington Firefighters on the D-platoon were alerted to a residential structure fire at 417 E.10th Street, according to  Battalion Chief John Looney.

Looney said Fire Department units arrived on scene to find fire showing from the second floor rear of a two-story middle of the row dwelling. Crews from Engine 2 and Squrt 3 immediately stretched a fire attack hose and made an aggressive interior attack, finding fire conditions on the second floor in a rear bedroom with extension into the attic.

The incident commander, Battalion Chief Michael Harris, arrived on scene and requested a fourth engine for the rapid intervention team assignment and an additional Ladder company to assist with rooftop ventilation. The fire extended to the attic area of the adjacent dwelling. The crews from Ladder 1 and Squad 4 performed searches of all floors, finding no inside the dwelling. One firefighter was injured while actively combating the fire. The firefighter was subsequently transported to Wilmington Hospital by on-scene EMS for examination and treatment. Looney did not comment on the nature of the injuries.

The scene was placed under control at 1:40 AM by Battalion Chief Harris. The dwelling sustained significant fire and smoke damage. The dwelling was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The adjacent dwelling suffered fire damage to the attic area. The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the origin and cause of the fire. Wilmington Licenses and Inspections responded and determined the dwellings to be uninhabitable.

Approximately 28 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire. The following units responded: Engine 2, Squrt 3, Engine 1, Squad 4, Ladder 1, Ladder 2, Battalion-1, Battalion-2, Deputy-4, FM-14, St. Francis EMS, New Castle County Paramedics, WPD, Wilmington Licenses & Inspections, and Delmarva Power.