Firefighter injured in Adrian home blaze

9/18/2009

ADRIAN - A city firefighter suffered a shoulder injury while at a blaze that damaged the second floor of the house at 158 South McKenzie St.

Flames were visible from second-story windows of the house when firefighters arrived about 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

Gary Suydam, the homeowner, said he found the fire when he heard a popping sound coming from upstairs. He went to get an extinguisher, but the fire was spreading. He fled and called 911.

The firefighter was hurt as he pulled down ceilings and opened walls to check if the fire had spread, fire Chief Paul Trinka said. He was treated at Bixby Medical Center. Authorities did not release his name, citing patient privacy laws.

Chief Trinka said the fire likely was accidental and began in a hallway at the top of the stairs. He estimated the damage at more than $30,000.