ROCKFORD, IL — A Rockford firefighter was injured when a stairway collapsed during a fire about 4:40 p.m. May 20 in the 1300 block of Andrews Street.
Rockford Fire Department firefighters were searching a burning house for possible occupants when the stairs gave way. The firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment of what were described as serious injuries that were not life threatening.
Interior firefighting operations were suspended after the incident because of the unsafe structural conditions and firefighters shifted to an exterior defensive fire attack. A Rockford Fire Department incident report said the house was being demolished.
One pet was killed in the fire, but residents were able to escape without injury. The home is considered a total loss valued at about $75,000.
The cause of the fire was listed as undetermined.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Firefighter injured in Rockford stairway collapse
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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