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Article by Cristina Valdiva at KXTV-TV:
Two Modesto firefighters were injured and burned after the roof they were working on collapsed during a house fire, according to fire officials.
The fire broke out around 11:30 p.m. Friday at the home on the 2300 block of Coston Avenue in Modesto, according to Modesto Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Hugo Patino. Crews arrived and found heavy smoke from an attached garage.
Three firefighters were assigned to cut a hole in the roof of the structure for ventilation, Patino said. The roof then collapsed, injuring two firefighters.
Both firefighters were treated on scene and then transported to local hospitals, Patino said.
Engineer James Adams, a 24-year veteran of the department from Calaveras, was taken by police escort to the UC Davis Burn Center, Patino said. Adams, 46, suffered burns over 40 percent of his body. While the injuries were not expected to be life-threatening, Adams was still not able to see visitors at the hospital as a safety precaution.
Firefighter Jason Clevenger, 32, was transported to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and was recovering from burns over 10 percent of his body, Patino said.
Patino said the fire appeared to have started accidentally when a woman living in the home dropped a candle being used for light as she refueled a generator.
Investigators also believe either poor construction or an alteration to the garage roof may have contributed to the unexpected failure. Patino said structural members were either removed or compromised to the point the roof was not able to withstand the effects of the fire or support the additional weight of the firefighters.
Patino said the home lacked electricity. A woman and two children who lived in the home escaped without injuries. While the home was in the midst of foreclosure proceedings, Patino said the family did apparently have permission to remain inside.
