COLUMBIA — A Columbia Fire Department firefighter suffered burns on his right hand while extinguishing a fire Tuesday morning in a north Columbia home, a department news release stated.
Lt. Doug Thoma of Engine Company 2 suffered minor burns to his right hand when some embers got between his firefighting glove and bunker coat sleeve, Battalion Chief Steven Sapp said.
Thoma was taken to University Hospital, where he is being treated at the George David Peak Memorial Burn Care Center.
Sapp said the injury is not life-threatening, and Thoma is expected to be released Wednesday morning. Thoma will return to full duty, Sapp said, but an exact date is unknown.
At 5:49 a.m., Columbia fire crews responded to report of a fire on Forest Avenue after a neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the residence.
Three fire engines, one ladder, one rescue squad and two staff members were dispatched and the fire was extinguished in ten minutes.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though investigators have determined that the fire began in the back of the home. Sapp said arson is not suspected at this time.
The damage is estimated to be between $8,000 and $10,000, Sapp said. There were smoke alarms in the home, and they were sounding when the fire crews arrived, Sapp said.