Firefighters Hurt Battling Fire|ABC 7 News

text size: A | A | A

Firefighters Hurt Battling Fire

posted 6:00 pm Wed October 31, 2007 - Washington

Two D.C. firefighters critically injured in a rowhouse fire Monday remain hospitalized in the burn unit at Washington Hospital Center.

Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Lacore was the most seriously injured. Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma after sustaining second- and third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body. Lacore could under go surgery Tuesday.

ABC 7 News - Firefighters Hurt Battling Fire

related stories:

Thirty-year-old Charlie Shyab suffered burns over 30 percent of his body. His condition has been upgraded to good.

"We're keeping a vigil, essentially, around the clock at the hospital," said Fire and Rescue Chief Dennis Rubin. "There's a command officer there 24 hours a day and will maintain that position until we're out of the woods."

The firefighters were trapped on the top floor of a burning rowhouse at 619 Fourth Street Northeast. Officials say the men had to literally run through fire to escape the burning building. "We need close medical guidance," says Dr. Janis Orlowski with Washington Hospital Center. "We need to follow their fluids very carefully. We need to treat the burns and we need to be cautious for infection."

Two other firefighters, 23-year-old Kenneth Humphries and 27-year-old Doug Donnelly, were released from Washington Hospital Center on Tuesday. Investigators believe the fire was caused by some oily rags being stored next to some propane canisters in the home next door.

Latest Comment on Firefighters Hurt Battling Fire

preoccupied

8:29 am on 10/30/07

I pray that all will recover quickly. Some of these fires could be avoided if some people just apply some common sense. Sorry if that sounds rough, but people should know that doing this and doing that may cause a fire. If you have to have combustibles around, keep them away from other objects that could can an explosion or fire. If you smoke, and are sleepy, don't light up. If you have a burning cigarette in an ashtray and have to leave the room, please put it out. If you are sleepy or doing other things -- like talking on the phone -- be mindful of what you have cooking, etc., etc.

» report abuse

read all comments

You need to be a registered member of
ABC 7 News to leave comments on news stories.

Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.

Please leave your comments below:

Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges. Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly. Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.

The 'RUNNING MAN' icon is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.