BALTIMORE-
A two-alarm fire quickly engulfed a row house and caused a floor to collapse, killing a firefighter early Tuesday.
Allen Roberts, 40, was the first city firefighter killed in the line of duty since 1995, fire officials said.
Roberts and two other firefighters were battling the fire on the first floor when parts of the second floor collapsed, trapping them. They were pulled to safety within minutes, said Chief Kevin Cartwright.
Neighbor Angela Marouffi said he saw firefighters trying to rush into the building to rescue the three trapped men.
“There was three or four of them trying to kick down the door and get in there,” Wloczewski said.
One of the two injured firefighters was being treated for burns on his hand and the other was treated and released, Cartwright said.
The chief said two residents of the building jumped to safety from a second-floor window, suffering minor injuries.
Roberts, a veteran of 19 years in the department, is survived by a wife and four children, Cartwright said.
