The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A Pine Bluff firefighter was in critical condition Sunday after the wall of a burning office furniture store collapsed on him Sunday morning.
Lt. David Curlin was inside Clements Office Center at 604 S. Main St. when the front wall collapsed on him just after 6 a.m., said Lt. Shauwn Howell, a spokesman for the Pine Bluff Fire Department.
Other firefighters at the scene used hydraulic tools to free Curlin from the debris. He was taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, then transferred to the UAMS Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday evening.
Howell said Curlin didn’t have significant burns but suffered internal injuries when the wall fell on him. Doctors performed surgery Sunday afternoon to stop internal bleeding, Howell said.
About 25 firefighters at the scene brought the fire under control in 30 to 40 minutes, but they were not able to save the building, Howell said.
He said Curlin was just inside the store when the wall fell on him within 10 minutes of firefighters’ arrival.
“It’s been a trying time,” Howell said. “It just brings us closer together and makes us realize how much we depend on each other to do our job.” The cause of the fire is under investigation, but firefighters do not suspect foul play, Howell said.
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