Two firefighters injured in Bpt blaze

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) - Two firefighters were taken to the hospital after bursting into a Bridgeport home in an attempt to save a woman who was said to have been trapped inside.

Firefighters are still checking for hot spots in the three-story home on East Main Street in Bridgeport. Flames had been shooting out the windows of the first floor when crews arrived.

"We got a report when we got here by a neighbor that there was one person in the building, a female, that's why, that's why they started to rush in immediately," said Asst. Chief Ismael Pomales, Bridgeport Fire.

Thinking the woman was trapped inside the burning home, Lieutenant Peter Morotto and firefighter Pat Burlinson burst through the front door, but opening the door caused a flash over.

"Oxygen gets into the area and actually ignites the gases, supplies the fuel for fire, and it just explodes," said Pomales.

Both firefighters got first and second degree burns to the face and hands. Both were rushed to Bridgeport Hospital. Their fellow firefighters kept battling the blaze as the fire quickly spread through the walls, and up to the attic. The second and third floors were unoccupied. The woman who was said to be inside at the time of the fire was found in the backyard.

"She was wrapped in a blanket, and she was exhibiting severe signs of shock, although she didn't appear to be burned, she probably suffered moderate smoke inhalation, one of my firefighters carried her out to the ambulance," said Pomales.

One of the firefighters has since been released from the hospital, but the other will be kept overnight.

This is the kind of job where you don't know what's gonna happen, you always gotta be sharp, and expect the worst," said Pomales.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.