By Steve Peoples
The Providence Journal (Rhode Island)
Copyright 2006 Providence Publications, LLC
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A firefighter was hospitalized yesterday after falling through the floor of an abandoned building while battling a fire on the west side.
Police were called to a two-story brick building at 18 Constitution St., off Cranston Street, at about 4 p.m.
Lt. Ernest Young, of Engine Co. 8, was in charge of the first group of firefighters to arrive.
Soon after they entered the building, Young stepped into a hole in the floor that was partially covered by debris, according to J. Curtis Varone, deputy assistant fire chief.
Young fell 12 feet to the basement, injuring his knee, wrist and back, Varone said. The injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be released [soon], but that’s pending,” Varone said. “He has some pretty significant back pain. They want to see if he has any cracked vertebrae.”
The fire badly damaged the building, which was a former automobile repair shop. Firefighters contained the blaze by about 4:30 p.m. Authorities are investigating the cause.