INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - One firefighter was hurt battling a house fire near downtown early Friday.
The fire was reported at a vacant house just before 3:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of Columbia Avenue, a few blocks east of 16th Street and College Avenue.
Indianapolis Fire Department Lt. Larry Tracy said the flames were so intense, firefighters had to use a defensive attack to douse the flames.
“When firefighters got here, (the fire) was fully involved and flames were shooting through the roof. The fire advanced very quickly before the firefighters got to the scene,” Tracy said.
The injured firefighter, Chris McGrone, 38, was rushed to the IU Methodist Hospital and in critical condition. Officials said he has worked with IFD for 13 years.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Republished with permission from The Indy Channel