Maryland Firefighter Falls Through Roof

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UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJLA/WBFF) - A firefighter who fell through a burnt out stairwell this past July helped rescue another firefighter Tuesday, after the man fell through the roof of a burning house.

Fire officials received two 911 calls reporting the Upper Marlboro fire around 1 p.m. on Jan. 5. When crews arrived to the one-story home on Old Marlboro Pike they began a search for occupants. The search was negative and the fire spread into a large attic area.

Firefighters began to open up the roof to relieve the interior of high heat and to help clear the thick smoke. One of two firefighters operating on the roof fell through, up to his shoulders.

Officials say he was "enveloped in a sudden rush of high heat and thick smoke coming up from the attic. "

Battalion Chief 3 transmitted that a firefighter needed assistance and activated the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) to assist. Volunteer Assistant Chief William Cunningham Jr., jumped into action to help his fellow crew-member and kept him from falling further in the hole, but needed help to pull him to safety.

Prince George's County Firefighter/Medic ...
... Captain Donny Fletcher was among those who responded to assist. In July 2015 Fletcher fell through a burnt out stairwell and became wedged in a small hole. He was rescued by volunteer Chief 810 Duane Hull, who grabbed Fletcher by his self-contained breathing apparatus harness and pulled him to safety.

For Tuesday's rescue Fletcher was joined by Lieutenant Chris Blackistone and firefighter William Philpott from the RIT team and, along with Cunningham, the four were able to pull the firefighter back onto the roof. Additional firefighters were taking precautions to not overload the compromised roof and helped their crewmember down a ladder to the waiting medics.

The firefighter who fell was wearing his full personal protective gear including his self-contained breathing apparatus with face piece on and breathing air and walked away without injury.

The fire was extinguished after approximately 30 minutes. Officials say one dog was found inside and was pronounced deceased, despite resuscitation measures performed by firefighters on the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.