Terrell house fire injures firefighter, forces residents to evacuate

TERRELL, Texas - A house fire in Terrell on Monday damaged a home and sent one firefighter to the hospital after a heat-related medical emergency during firefighting operations.

What we know:

The fire broke out at a residence in the 700 block of North Francis Street, where flames were concentrated at the rear of the home. 

During operations, a firefighter collapsed while crews were rotating assignments and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials said the firefighter remained hospitalized on Monday. 

A second firefighter was treated at the scene for exhaustion but recovered and returned to duty.

A woman and her dog were inside the home when the fire started, officials said. Neighbors across the street noticed the fire and helped alert the occupants, who were able to get out safely. No residents were injured.

Dig deeper:

At 4:32 pm, Terrell dispatch received a call of a house on fire. The City of Terrell Fire Department as well as the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched. First, arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke showing from the rear of a residential home. 

Additional resources were requested from Forney Fire Department. 

The fire had traveled into the attic of the home and was rapidly spreading. Firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack but were pushed out by heavy fire conditions. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze from the exterior of the home. 

One firefighter outside the structure fell ill due to high temperatures. Careflite medics transported the firefighter to a local hospital for care. He's reported to be recovering. 

A short while later, a second firefighter suffered heat-related issues. He was treated on scene and went back to work. 

What's next:

The Terrell Fire Department and the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, responded with assistance from other departments and crews from other neighboring communities.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No estimate of the damage was immediately available.

TerrellKaufman CountyTexas