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August 31, 2006

Firefighter hurt in blaze at abandoned Providence building

PROVIDENCE -- A firefighter was hurt this afternoon after falling through the floor of an abandoned building while battling a fire on the city's west side.

Police were called to empty two-story brick commercial building at 18 Constitution St., which is just off Cranston Street, at about 4 p.m.

Lt. Ernest Young, of Engine Company 8, was in charge of the first group of firefighters that arrived at the two-alarm blaze.

Soon after the group entered the burning building, Young stepped into an opening in the floor that was partially covered with debris, according to J. Curtis Varone, deputy assistant fire chief. Young fell 12 feet to the basement floor.

He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was being treated for knee, wrist and back injuries, Varone said. The injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

"We're hopeful he'll be released tonight, but that's pending," Varone said. "He has some pretty significant back pain. They want to see if he has any cracked vertebrae."

The fire badly damaged the building, which was a former automobile repair facility. Firefighters contained the blaze by about 4:30 p.m. Authorities are investigating the cause.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 6:25 PM | Permalink

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