A Los Angeles firefighter was injured Saturday after falling through a roof of a paint supply business while battling a fire in Sylmar, authorities said.
The firefighter fell between 10 and 20 feet through the roof of the one-story commercial building at 15513 Cobalt St, said LAFD spokesman Erik Scott in written statements. He was treated and then taken to a local hospital in “fair to serious condition,” Scott said. While the firefighter suffered a hand injury, he was not burned, according to preliminary information.
The fall occurred after firefighters launched an “aggressive interior attack” and began cutting a hole in the roof in order to release heat and toxic gasses, he said. A “Mayday” was issued and companies on scene entered the structure and brought the injured firefighter out to safety so he could be treated and taken to the hospital.
About 40 firefighters put out the blaze in about 22 minutes, Scott said.