FOREST GROVE, Ore. — A Forest Grove fire captain was injured trying to stop a man from running into a burning room on Thursday morning.
When firefighters arrived at the scene of a reported house fire, they saw smoke and learned people were inside the burning home, according to KATU-TV.
Crews made their way into the ground floor and found several people inside. Capt. Joseph Smith injured his leg while trying to tackle one of two men who attempted to run up a stairwell to the room where the fire originated.
Despite his injury, Capt. Smith continued to fight the blaze while the two men were removed from the house, the report said.
A wheelchair-bound woman and six cats were rescued. Investigators said the fire was started by a discarded cigarette.
Capt. Smith was taken to the hospital and later released.