5 firefighters, 2 residents injured in early morning Indio house fire
Five firefighters were injured Tuesday morning following an early morning house fire. One firefighter is in critical condition, according to firefighters.
The flames were reported at 2:23 a.m. at a home along the 81100 block of Durango Drive near Madison Street and Avenue 46.
Video from the scene showed extensive fire and smoke damage to the front of the structure.
According to Indio firefighters on Instagram, the five firefighters were injured when a flashover occurred while the firefighters were in engagement. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a flashover is a thermally-driven event during which every combustible surface exposed to thermal radiation in a compartment or enclosed space rapidly and simultaneously ignites.
According to Indio firefighters on Instagram, one firefighter suffered critical injured, another serious, and three sustained moderate injuries. One firefighter was flown to Arrowhead while four were evaluated at JFK, with one being transported to Arrowhead later Tuesday morning.
One of the injured firefighters was released from the hospital by noon, according to Cal Fire.
Two residents, including a 99-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the fire department.
Details on the fire's cause remains under investigation and firefighters remained on the scene for hours for overhaul and salvage operations.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for any updates.
