By Sarah Roebuck
FireRescue1
LEXINGTON, N.C. — A captain with the Lexington Fire Department was hospitalized following a house fire.
When firefighters arrived at the scene on March 26, fire and smoke could be seen coming from the back of the house, WXII reports. The firefighters began attacking the fire from the interior.
Shortly after, an order was given to evacuate the home. Crews evacuated, but Captain Ronnie Metcalf was reported missing, according to the report.
“The crews made an interior attack. The fire changed rapidly and caused them to have to change tactics very quickly,” Lexington Fire Chief Paul Jarrett told WFMY. “We’re still trying to process all that to determine what happened.”
Search teams went back inside and found Metcalf.
Metcalf was treated by EMS at the scene for burn injuries and later airlifted to a hospital.
“These are the most significant injuries I’ve seen to a firefighter,” Jarrett told WFMY.
Metcalf, a husband and father, has dedicated 30 years to serving as a firefighter. He suffered life-threatening injuries in the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A fundraiser has been set up by Metcalf’s family. If you would like to donate, click here.