KCK firefighter falls 15 feet during fire response

By Nick Sloan
Kansas City Kansan - January 17, 2009

A Kansas City, Kan., firefighter was injured after responding to a fire this morning at 1124 S. 34th Street.

The fire, which remains under investigation, was reported just after 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The fire happened at a residential home and caused about $45,000 in damage.

One firefighter was injured at the scene when a second floor railing at the game gave away, causing the firefighter to fall 15 feet on a pool table.

"Fire crews on the scene within two minutes reported heavy smoke coming from the structure," said Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Duke. "Crews made an aggressive interior attack while performing primary search as indications were it was an occupied structure. Crews determined occupants were not home."

The American Red Cross and Board of Public Utilities were called to help out at the scene.

The firefighter will remain in the hospital overnight for observation. However, injuries were not classified as "life threatening."