It’s the 12th building fire in the past 20 days for the Springfield fire department, according to the chief.
King said upon arrival at the scene, they found the single-family home with heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the structure. He said “firefighters immediately launched an aggressive attack on the fire while conducting a search for occupants.”
King added during the aggressive attack and search for residents within the house, a firefighter fell partially through the floor, but no firefighters were injured.
“The crews backed out and did more of an attack through the windows and pulled a second line and then came through the back door to then go combat the fire,” he said.
Additional residents were able to escape the blaze prior to the arrival of emergency crews. King added there was people staying in the basement, but they were able to get out before crews arrived on scene.
He said their crews located a person in the back area of the home with the Springfield Police Department so they pulled him from the house, but he was unable to be resuscitated.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
“The crews located another family member inside the home later once we had the fire contained, and we were conducting our primary search,” King said.
He added the experience was very taxing due to cold temperatures, the amount of fire that was on scene and trying to note who was still trapped inside with their efforts to get in for rescue.
“This is an incredibly tragic day for our community,” said King. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Our firefighters worked tirelessly under extremely difficult circumstances to contain the fire and rescue anyone they could.”
The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by the Springfield Fire Rescue Division’s Fire Marshal and the Springfield Police Department’s detectives, King said. The identity of the two people was not released.
“The Springfield Fire Rescue Division urges all residents to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms and to develop a family escape plan to increase safety during emergencies,” King said.
Bill Lackey contributed to this story.
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