WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 24 (UPI) — Two firefighters died while battling a house fire in Delaware and several others, including firefighters and civilians, were injured.
Officials identified the two firefighters who were killed as 41-year-old Lt. Christopher Leach, and 51-year-old, Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, according to WPVI.
Two firefighters were also sent to a local hospital in critical condition, while two more were treated for injuries and one was released.
Four children and one adult were also hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Neighbors told WTXF a family of four lived in the row home where the fire broke out at approximately 3 a.m.
Fire crews arrived to find flames and smoke engulfing the home with several people, including small children trapped inside.
The fire chief said the firefighters entered the first floor of the home when the floor collapsed into the basement.
Two firefighters were rescued from the basement. One firefighter died at the hospital, while one never escaped the rubble.
Additional firefighters arrived on the scene and managed to eventually get the fire under control and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
