Lt. Christopher Leach & Firefighter Jerry Fickes killed in Wilmington, DE house fire
Two firefighters died and four other firefighters were injured – with four children and another adult – after a blaze broke out at a Wilmington house early Saturday, authorities said.
In a late-morning news briefing near the fire scene, Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode said Lt. Christopher Leach, 41, and firefighter Jerry Fickes, 51, died.
Four other firefighters were injured, including two who suffered burns and are in stable but critical condition at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Delaware County, he said. One of the firefighters at Crozer is female, he said.
Two other firefighters who were injured have been released from Christiana Hospital in Newark, he said.
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As firefighters entered the home, the floor collapsed, and four firefighters fell.
Two firefighters were rescued, but one died at the hospital, and one never made it out of the rubble.
That firefighter was brought out the home, draped in an American flag, and carried by other firefighters.
The two injured were placed in an ambulance and taken to a waiting helicopter which transported them to Christiana Hospital.
Four children and one adult were taken to St. Francis Hospital for smoke inhalation.
