UPDATE: Five Springfield firefighters were injured exiting a house fire on Sunday. One remains hospitalized with neck injuries.
The fire broke out at about 2 p.m. at 603 Rice Street. Crews arriving found an electrical fire that started on the back corner of the house and had spread to a second story.
Two crews were assigned to fighting the fire on the second floor. While inside, the firefighters experienced a rapid rise in temperature, and began to exit the structure.
On the way down the stairs, James “Rob” Baise fell down stairs and injured his neck, Chief Brian Miller said. Once outside, the firefighters realized Baise had not made it out. Firefighters quickly reentered the building and discovered Baise at the foot of the stairs.
Baise was extricated and airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital with critical injuries. Four other firefighters, Captain Derek Shenefield and firefighters Kevin Whalen, Nick Woolever, and Colton Harsh had to be treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
Chief Miller said the prognosis for Baise is optimistic and that the injured firefighter’s symptoms are steadily improving. “We have many positive reasons to expect a full recovery is possible,” he said.
