A Newport News firefighter fell partially through the roof at a Phoebus fire, where crews rescued one person still inside

By Avery Sloan
The Virginian-Pilot

HAMPTON, Va. — Two people died and four people, including a firefighter, are injured following a fire in the 90 block of West County Street in Phoebus, according to Hampton fire officials.

The Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue received a call for a multi-alarm residential structure fire and units arrived at about 5:58 p.m. on Wednesday. The two-story home is directly across from Hampton National Cemetery, east of Hampton University.

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When crews arrived, heavy smoke and flames were visible from outside and two people had evacuated on their own, with injuries. They were given medical care immediately.

Crews went inside the two-story home to search for people, as bystanders told them there were still people trapped inside.

Firefighters found three more people inside the burning home and got them out, Hampton Fire spokeswoman Amanda Wroten said.

Of five residents taken to the hospital, Wroten said, two died there and three are still being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. The condition of the three was not immediately known Wednesday night.

Wroten did not immediately release additional information on the two decedents, including their ages and sex.

A Newport News firefighter helping fight the blaze has minor injuries after falling through the roof, but he was able to free himself, with his crew. A mayday call was issued, and then terminated for the firefighter.

That firefighter was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not deemed life-threatening, Wroten said.

Fire crews from Newport News, Poquoson, Norfolk and Langley Air Force Base provided assistance or helped backfill Hampton stations during the fire.

The home had been converted from a single-family home to a multi-family dwelling, Wroten said. The incident remains under investigation by the Hampton Fire Marshal’s Office.

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