PETERSBURG, Va. — Intense flames from a house fire in Petersburg quickly spread to a neighboring home Monday evening as firefighters battled both the blaze and dangerous heat conditions.
The fire broke out at a house on the corner of Wythe Street, with flames fully engulfing the structure before spreading to the adjacent property.
"The first structure behind me was fully involved," said Chief Wayne Hoover of the Petersburg Fire Department.
Firefighters immediately set up master streams to combat the flames at both houses, with crews making an interior attack on the second home to prevent further spread.
Firefighter Trevon Gerideau was among those battling the blaze from inside the second floor.
"As I was hitting it just felt like the flames kept coming, wouldn't stop," Gerideau said.
The 96-degree temperature with a heat index of 105 created extremely hazardous conditions for emergency responders.
"Under normal circumstances, working with one structure fully involved and a second one burning is a very difficult fire. When you add 96 degrees with a 105 on the heat index, that makes it extremely difficult," Hoover said.
Veteran firefighter Brandon Wood felt the impact of the extreme conditions.
"I felt this one a little bit more, I think everyone on scene did," Wood said.
The combination of protective gear and intense heat posed significant risks to the firefighters' safety.
"Everyone on scene with the gear, the packs, it can definitely take a toll on you," Wood said.
Fire officials implemented extended break protocols to protect their personnel.
"On days like today, we make that an extended break. We check their vitals, we re-hydrate them, long before we ever let them go back inside," Hoover said.
A Petersburg Area Transit bus with air conditioning was brought to the scene to help cool down exhausted firefighters.
"The bus was great," Gerideau said.
"Makes a huge difference," added Wood.
Additional support came from Chesterfield Fire, which sent crews to relieve Petersburg firefighters. Support Six, a group of retired firefighters, was also on scene to assist with hydration, cooling, and monitoring for signs of heat exhaustion.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube
