WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Three firefighters suffered second-degree burns after saving two sisters from a house fire Saturday.
Winnipeg Sun reported that a fourth firefighter suffered pulled muscles in his back while aiding others in the blaze, which destroyed two residences and a condo under construction. All four firefighters are on leave while they recover.
“They rescued the first person on scene and that person said there was an additional person in the house. Her sister was in the house in a wheelchair,” Capt. Rob Labossiere said. “The crew then rescued the second person and through that rescue, sustained burns to their body.
“When you’re 50-60 feet away from the fire and you can feel the heat on your face and you have to seek shelter to maintain radio communication; it’s hot. And to risk crews going in, in that intense heat, was a decision that wasn’t made easily.”
The two sisters and all four firefighters were treated at a hospital and later released.
“With the experience and training that we get as firefighters, we prepare for the worst-case scenarios,” Capt. Labossiere said. “That scenario was one where we were asking our members to risk their lives. So, as officers in charge, we make those decisions, we’re forcing those guys to basically put their lives on the line ... We’ll risk a lot to save a lot.”