FF McGown critically injured while battling house fire

North Beach VFD & career PGFD firefighter, Danny McGown was critically injured this morning while battling a house fire in Kettering.

Press release from PGFD:
At 2:01 AM, Wednesday, April 8, 2009, Firefighters and Paramedics were alerted for a fire in a carport attached to the house at 87 Herrington Drive. Firefighters from the Largo Fire/EMS Station #846, with a crew of six firefighters, were first due and arrived to find a vehicle and carport well involved with fire with extension into the 2-story single family home. Firefighters entered the structure and were battling the fire when a MAYDAY was issued indicating a firefighter was in trouble. A PASS (Personal Alert Safety System) device which is integrated into firefighters self contained breathing apparatus was activated and emitted a loud audible alert indicating a firefighter was in distress. Firefighters from Kentland Fire/EMS Station #833 quickly located the downed firefighter in a 1st floor living room, sounded the MAYDAY and removed the firefighter by way of a window. Paramedics quickly assessed the firefighter had sustained severe burns to his face and head and transported immediately to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center. He is listed in critical/stable condition. Two additional firefighters sustained minor burn injuries and it is anticipated that they will be treated and released from the same Burn Unit. The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes by the 35 firefighters on the scene. The fire appears to be suspicious and Fire Investigators are continuing their investigation.

Please keep Firefighter McGown in your thoughts and prayers.