2 years ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Sgt. Michael Lacore opened his eyes and squeezed his mother's hand Tuesday after the first of what are what expected to be many surgeries at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit. Sgt. Lacore is the most seriously injured of four firefighters burned at Monday's row house fire in the 600 Block of 4th Street, NE. Lacore has second and third degree burns over 40% of his body.
Firefighter Charles Shyab is now in fair condition. Firefighters Dennis Donnelly and Kenneth Humphries have been released from the hospital.
DC Fire and EMS Chief Dennis Rubin has appointed 11 members of the department to investigate how the firefighers were burned. Part of the team went through the two burned homes Tuesday afternoon and interviewed some of the first firefighters who responded to the call.
The firefighters from Engine 4 were on the second floor of 619 4th Street. In the video shot by DC Fire and EMS photographer Vito Maggiolo, you can see water from the crew's hose line darkening the fire. A short time later, the fire grows very rapidly on the first floor and extends to the second floor, apparently briefly trapping the firefighters.
DC firefighters are keeping an around the clock vigil at the hospital. A command post has been set up at the hospital to coordinate the efforts. Sources tell 9NEWS NOW the person running that command post on the midnight shift has been DC Fire and EMS Chief Dennis Rubin.
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