The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario)
Canadian Press
Copyright 2007 Toronto Star Newspapers, Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
OTTAWA — Six Ottawa firefighters suffered a variety of injuries yesterday after being enveloped by a five-alarm blaze.
Five crew members working in the upper floors of a housing complex were forced to jump out of nearby windows to save their lives.
Two were fortunate enough to land on second-floor awnings to break their falls, while the remaining three jumped nearly 12 metres down onto a concrete surface.
Lieut. John Chatterton, 47, the senior crew member on duty and 24-year firefighting veteran, received a broken pelvis, a broken leg and arm and burns trying to get his crew out of danger.
Also among the injured and still in hospital is Carissa Campbell, 29, a female firefighter on the job for less than five months.
She chipped her teeth and injured her back in the fall and was listed in stable condition late Monday night.
A 38-year-old male firefighter received leg and wrist injuries and minor burns. Three other firefighters also had minor injuries, including one who slipped on the icy surface surrounding the fire scene.
More than 100 firefighters responded to battle the blaze, which investigators believe started in the building’s top floor before moving to an adjacent building.
The fire destroyed 13 units in two buildings owned by Ottawa Living Community Housing, leaving almost 40 people homeless.
CV