A Providence firefighter was seriously injured after a 10-foot fall while responding to a power outage that trapped residents in an elevator

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A veteran Providence firefighter was injured after falling about 10 feet down an elevator shaft at an elderly housing development on March 16, authorities said.

Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva told 12 News that the firefighter lost his footing and fell inside the shaft at Sister Dominica Manor on Atwells Avenue. Silva said the firefighter suffered serious injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital’s trauma center.

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The firefighter fell about 10 feet into the elevator shaft and suffered head and leg injuries, but was alert and conscious when transported to the hospital and is expected to recover, WJAR reported.

Firefighters had been called to the building to rescue people trapped in an elevator during a power outage.

The outage was caused by a tree branch that fell on power lines near the housing development, according to Rhode Island Energy.

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