By Erin James
The York Dispatch
DOVER, Pa. — Two firefighters were injured Monday battling a two-alarm blaze in Dover that overwhelmed first responders.
A dozen companies fought the fire for an hour before it was declared under control, said Troy Dettinger, assistant chief at Dover’s Union Fire & Hose.
Someone called 911 around 10:30 a.m. to report a fire burning at 112 Dogwood Dr. The first crew to arrive from Dover Township attempted to fight the fire inside but retreated after one firefighter fell through a floor that had given way, Dettinger said.
“He went through up to about his waist,” he said.
The crew called a “mayday” distress signal and pulled the firefighter out. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and suffered minor injuries, Dettinger said.
Later, a West York firefighter fell partially through the home’s roof. He was treated with first aid at the scene, Dettinger said.
No one else was injured, he said. One resident was home when the fire started but was able to quickly escape.
To cope with oppressive heat, firefighter crews were rotated frequently and provided with water, Dettinger said. The Red Cross was on scene to assist the Dover family whose home was charred and burning this afternoon.
Richard Gonzalez, who lives across the street, said five people live at 112 Dogwood Dr., including two young girls who were at school when the fire broke out.
“Everybody’s fine,” he said.
Gonzalez said he was home when flames began shooting out of windows across the street. He ran toward the home hoping to rescue pets, some of which survived, he said.
A state police fire marshal has been called to investigate the cause of the fire, Dettinger said.
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