Firefighter treated for minor injuries after fall

The Cape Girardeau firefighter who fell through a floor while trying to extinguish a blaze at a vacant house Monday ended up going to the hospital with minor injuries later in the evening, a supervisor said.

Capt. Dean Lynn didn't stop working after he fell partway through the floor Monday afternoon while fighting a fire at 801 S. Benton St., assistant chief Mark Hasheider said.

"Advancing hose line into the structure, smoke obscured the floor, and Capt. Dean Lynn partially fell through the floor, was able to catch himself or extricate himself from the hole and continued to fight the fire at that time," Hasheider said Tuesday morning. "However, he later went to the emergency room for evaluation for the injuries sustained during that fall."

Lynn was treated for bruises and contusions and released, Hasheider said.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

In June, police reported an apparent arson had caused minor damage to the house.

Hasheider said a neighbor reported seeing a juvenile leaving the house around the time of the fire in June.

The fire Monday, which was considered suspicious, caused $32,000 in damage, according to a news release from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Hasheider said the fire Monday appeared to have started near a staircase, traveled upstairs and caused extensive damage to the second floor. The bottom floor had extensive smoke and water damage, he said.

He asked anyone with information about the fire to call the Cape Girardeau Fire Department at 270-0010.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

801 S. Benton St., Cape Girardeau, MO