Baytown firefighter suffers 'medical emergency' while putting out flames at a home
BAYTOWN, Texas - A firefighter in Baytown is fighting for his life after authorities said he suffered injuries while putting out flames at a home Sunday morning.
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According to Chambers County Sheriff's Office, they received reports of a structure fire at a two-story home in Mont Belvieu's response area of the Country Meadows subdivision on State Highway 146 around 9:40 a.m.
Mont Belvieu Fire Department, Baytown Fire Department, Beach City Volunteer Fire Department, and Cove Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the home.
Crews found the home covered in flames and began working to put the fire out.
At some point, Baytown FD says a firefighter suffered a "medical emergency" and a "mayday" was declared.
"[The firefighter] just went completely down," said Marshall Hoppers, the homeowner. "We were sitting there watching. He just went completely down just like that."
Officials from the Baytown Fire Department say the 56-year-old firefighter had some sort of medical emergency while fighting the fire. He was rushed to Methodist Hospital in Baytown. At last check, the 56-year-old was in critical, but stable condition.
Everyone inside the home during the fire was able to get out safely. Hoppers says their home is no longer livable. He believes the flames were started by lithium batteries for an electric lawn mower.
"You wouldn’t believe the explosion that was going on from those batteries," said Hoppers. "My goodness. You would of thought there was a grenade in there. Crazy."
Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne wrote a message reacting to the injured firefighter, saying "Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line protecting and saving our citizens. I hope this firefighter fully recovers."
"We’ll keep praying for him," said Hoppers.