Investigators say a faulty gas fireplace sparked a house fire Wednesday afternoon near 35th and Seward that injured three firefighters.
The fire broke out around 2:30 and heavy smoke was coming from the attic eves when firefighters arrived. The only person inside the home at the time was able to escape uninjured. Investigators say because of the intense flames in the attic, fire crews reported flashover conditions on the second floor and had to back out and regroup to the first floor.
Three firefighters were injured while extinguishing the fire. None of them had to transported to the hospital from the scene. A battalion fire chief who was responding to the scene was involved in a two vehicle crash two blocks from the scene and was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.
The other driver was also hospitalized. The fire was contained to the second floor and attic, but the entire house sustained smoke and water damage. Damage is estimated at $40,000. The Red Cross is assisting the residents.