On Wednesday, at approximately 5:03 p.m., the Elsmere Fire Company responded to a residential structure fire in the 100 block of South Colonial Avenue in the Colonial Heights neighborhood. Multiple mutual aid units also arrived to assist in battling the blaze.
Firefighters arriving on the scene reported smoke coming from the front of the house. As crews worked to contain the fire, the flames rapidly intensified, leading to a MAYDAY being declared after some crew members became unaccounted for. Within minutes, all firefighters were safely evacuated from the structure, and the MAYDAY was cleared.
According to New Castle County EMS, four firefighters sustained injuries during the incident and were treated by EMS personnel before being transported to a local hospital for further care:
A 37-year-old male firefighter was treated for burns to his arm. He was transported in stable condition.
A 23-year-old male firefighter suffered possible internal injuries and was transported in stable condition.
A 25-year-old male firefighter sustained facial burns and was transported in serious condition.
A 51-year-old male firefighter was treated for burns to his hand and transported in stable condition.
FSU has been told that the firefighters were from the Five Points Fire Company, however, officials did not confirm those details in their statement.
No further details have been released, and the names of the firefighters involved have not been disclosed.
Officials continue to investigate the incident as they work to determine the fire’s origin.