The Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A firefighter is recovering after falling from a roof while fighting a house fire in Gulfport.
Officials say the firefighter is in stable condition at a hospital in St. Petersburg after falling about 8 feet on Wednesday afternoon.
The Tampa Bay Times reports firefighters from St. Petersburg and Gulfport responded to the fire, which took about 20 minutes to put out. The firefighter was helping to ventilate the house when he fell.
Fire officials say the fire was caused by a lightning strike on Tuesday evening. They believe it smoldered for almost 24 hours before it was noticed. It caused about $20,000 in damage.