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Florence Fire Department released details of blaze on Taramore Drive that left two firefighters trapped


NKyTribune staff

The Florence Fire/EMS Department has released details of a three-alarm fire on Taramore Drive Thursday afternoon that left two firefighters trapped after a roof collapse.

The firefighters were transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for evaluation, but were released several hours later.

 

A total of four firefighters were reported to have suffered injuries fighting the blaze, but none are believed to be serious.

A lightning strike was determined to be the cause of the fire.

The Florence Fire/EMS department issued the following release regarding the fire:

Florence Fire/EMS was dispatched to the 1400 block of Taramore Drive for a report of a one-alarm fire.

Fire companies arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke coming from the roof of a two-story townhouse. Initial reports from residents on scene advised that there were possibly people that were still in the affected townhouse.

Firefighters began an interior fire attack and proceeded to search for the reported missing residents. A second alarm was called due to the high temperature and advancing fire conditions.

Early into the operations, fire conditions rapidly changed prompting an evacuation from the structure.

While evacuating, a portion of the roof collapsed into the second floor of the townhouse which trapped two Florence firefighters. A mayday was issued as well as an upgrade to a third alarm for the fire.

The two trapped members were able to self-extricate and exit the structure via a ladder placed in the rear of the building. Both members were transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Florence for evaluation. The firefighters were discharged several hours later. The residents that were reported missing were not home at the time of the fire.

Extreme heat and humidity posed a challenge for fire companies on scene, who were able to confine and control the fire to the unit of origin with water and smoke damage to the adjacent, attached units. The fire was declared out at approximately 1600 hrs.

Florence was assisted by numerous Boone and Kenton County fire departments. Investigators determined that the cause of the fire was a lightning strike from a storm that had been in the area several minutes prior to the initial alarm. There were four reported injuries to firefighters on the scene and no injuries to civilians.

The Red Cross was on scene to provide assistance to the displaced residents.


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