Four Kansas City firefighters have been injured, two critically, after a collapse at a burning apartment building Monday evening.
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“It’s hard when you live with somebody for 24 hours a day, and you’re laughing and joking one minute and then something like this happens in the line of duty”, Berardi said.
Garrett said firefighters were clearing an area with a partially collapsed roof when the structure collapsed further, injuring four of them.
KCTV reports two firefighters were being treated at the hospital Monday night.
He said two people were rescued from the building shortly before the collapse but on Tuesday he didn’t indicate what role the injured and dead firefighters played in that rescue. He told the newspaper two firefighters have died. “Our condolences go out to the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice today, and we pray for recovery of the injured”, Kansas City Mayor Sly James said in a statement.
“They did not die in vain”, Berardi said.
“The fire department family will help the families through”.
We are still working to find out what started this fire. “This is the worst day”, he said.
On resident who escaped the flames told The Kansas City Star that he was at home when he heard shouts to evacuate. An investigation is ongoing.
A smoke alarm sounded, he said, adding that he was choking as he fled outside to safety.
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He said he was proud of the professionalism the rest of the firefighters displayed at a time of tremendous sadness and shock.
