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Calif. firefighter injured battling church gym fire

An Anaheim Fire & Rescue firefighter suffered minor injuries when he was struck by a piece of falling debris while battling an electrical fire in the walls of the gym

By Eric Licas
The Orange County Register

YORBA LINDA, Calif. — Flames broke out in a Yorba Linda church’s gymnasium, and one responding firefighter was taken to a hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

The fire was reported at Calvary Chapel of Yorba Linda, 18821 Yorba Linda Boulevard, at about 7:27 p.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Paul Holaday said. When crews arrived, they found an electrical fire burning in the walls of the gym.

“Our deacon here was on campus earlier checking doors for security, locking them in the evening,” Calvary Chapel Executive Pastor George Inman said. “He was back here and heard a pop in the pole, the electrical pole that’s on other side of the driveway, and there were sparks coming out.”

Firefighters had to wait for utility workers to cut power to the building before dousing the flames with water, Holaday said. The fire was extinguished at about 8:28 p.m., and damage was contained to a corner of the gymnasium.

An Anaheim Fire & Rescue firefighter suffered minor injuries when he was struck by a piece of falling debris, Holaday said. He was taken to hospital, and was expected to be released from care Tuesday evening.

The exact cause of the fire was under investigation.

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©2019 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)

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