By Anita Hassan and Jennifer Latson
The Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — A firefighter remains in serious but stable condition in a hospital Tuesday after he was injured while battling a two-alarm fire that destroyed a northeast Houston home Monday, authorities said.
Capt. Darin Unruh suffered third-degree burns and smoke inhalation in the fire, which broke out about 7 p.m. at the home in the 3900 block of Linder, officials said.
“The first 72 hours are critical with burns like these,” said HFD District Chief Tommy Dowdy.
Firefighter Dennis Valencia, who suffered first- and second-degree burns, was released from Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Officials are trying to determine how the firefighters were hurt. Houston Fire Department District Chief John Smith said it appears a section of the roof collapsed, sending a wave of flames and superheated gases toward the less-damaged back portion of the home where Unruh and Valencia were.
The flames gutted the front section of the small, wood-frame home. The intense heat scorched the overhanging branches of a neighbor’s tree.
Unruh and Valencia went in through the back door after receiving reports that someone may have been trapped inside the burning home, Smith said.
According to a preliminary investigation, the fire may have started at an electrical outlet, Dowdy said.
HFD officials said it had been nearly a year since a firefighter suffered such a serious injury while fighting a fire.
After hearing about the injuries, Mayor Bill White went to the hospital to check on the firefighters. More than 100 firefighters have visited the hospital since the pair was admitted.
“Somewhere in your (firefighting) career, you’re going to be injured. It’s just part of the job,” Smith said.
Unruh is assigned to HFD Station 39, 5810 Pickfair, and Valencia works at HFD Station 34, 3100 Laura Koppe.
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle