FIREFIGHTER INJURED IN HOUSE FIRE

ONE FIREFIGHTER WAS INJURED EARLY THIS MORNING WHEN THE ROOF OF A HOME COLLAPSED ON HIM AS HE BATTLED A FIRE.  CHARLOTTE FIRE & EMS CREWS WERE CALLED TO 246 EAST TARPON BOULEVARD NORTHWEST JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND THE SINGLE STORY HOME COMPLETELY ENGULFED WITH FLAMES SHOOTING THROUGH THE ROOF.  FIRE CREWS ATTACKED THE BLAZE QUICKLY AND WERE ABLE TO GET IT OUT WITHIN 15 MINUTES.  DEE HAWKINS WITH CHARLOTTE FIRE & EMS SAID THE UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER WAS TAKEN TO FAWCETT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN STABLE CONDITION WITH HEAD AND NECK INJURIES.  HE WAS RELEASED EARLY THIS MORNING.  THE FAMILY OF THREE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT WITHOUT BEING INJURED, BUT WITH THE HOUSE BEING A TOTAL LOSS, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ASSISTED THEM WITH SHELTER.  HAWKINS SAID THEY ARE LOOKING INTO A POSSIBLE START OF THE FIRE IN THE ATTIC, AND THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL WAS CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE.