TOLEDO, Ohio – Four firefighters are expected to recover after they were injured by an explosion while battling a house fire early Saturday morning, authorities say.
The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department reported that the firefighters had entered the home to battle the fire when the explosion occurred. Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong described the incident, stating, “About 20 minutes after the call there was some sort of explosion. A mayday was called. We were missing a couple firefighters and one I’m being told was actually blown out of the garage onto the ground.”
Following the explosion, the fire department quickly located all of the firefighters. Three of them were taken to a hospital emergency room for further evaluation, but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
The people who lived in the home were able to escape without injury, thanks to the alert from the smoke alarms. However, the cause of the explosion remains unclear as the fire department continues its investigation.
In addition to the residents, three cats in the home also managed to escape. Unfortunately, a family member reported that the pets ran away and have not been found.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks that firefighters take in the line of duty to protect their communities, and the importance of preventative measures like smoke alarms. The investigation into the cause of the explosion will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future.