By Andy Kravetz
The Journal Star
PEORIA, Ill. — A Peoria firefighter was released from the hospital Wednesday after suffering second-degree burns to his right arm and ears while fighting a house fire earlier in the day.
Battalion Chief Kent Seiler said the firefighter was trying to make entry in the home’s second floor when a “flash over” -- superheated smoke and gases -- ignited for a brief second. No one else was injured. The chief said the injured firefighter didn’t leave the house until after the blaze was under control some 20 minutes later.
Firefighters were dispatched to 1103 W. Thrush Ave. at about 8:30 a.m. They found smoke pouring out of the second floor windows. When firefighters opened the front door, another “flash over” occurred, but no one was injured.
Seiler said no one was home during the fire, but firefighters didn’t know that and sent rescue teams inside.
The cause of the fire, which led to $30,000 in damage, remains under investigation.
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(c)2016 the Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.)