Two Firefighters Injured In Barn Fire

A jet stream of flame blows out of the west end of the barn on the Phillip Stuckey farm, at top, located on Co. Rd. 25-2 northwest of Archbold, Sunday morning, Feb. 17. The metal roof is still intact, trapping the flames inside until the west end gave way. Left, firefighters get into position to attack the burning semi tractor, parked along the south side of the barn. The semi, two tractors, a combine, and other vehicles and equipment were destroyed.- photos by Mary Huber and David Pugh

Two firefighters, one from Archbold and one from Stryker, were injured battling a barn fire after midnight, Sunday morning, Feb. 17.

Brian Engler, Archbold, received first- and second-degree burns while he and Dave Davis, an AFD lieutenant, were standing near the burning barn, trying to protect an adjacent house, said Andy Brodbeck, AFD chief.

Brodbeck said Engler also injured a foot. He was transported by Archbold Rescue to Fulton County Health Center, where he was treated and released.

Eddie Ledesma, Stryker Fire Department captain, suffered a possible fractured ankle when he slipped while picking up hose following the fire.

Ledesma was taken by Archbold Rescue to Archbold Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Standing In The Gap

Brodbeck said Engler and Davis were standing between the house and the barn, trying to protect the house.

The radiant heat from the fire "was intense," Brodbeck said.

Firefighter turnout gear includes boots, pants, and coats, which protects them to a certain extent. "When they realized how hot they were getting, they sprayed each other," Brodbeck said.

But later, when Engler was examined by rescue crews, they found burns on parts of his body.

Brodbeck said it is not known how Engler injured his foot. The ground around the fire scene was ice-covered in several places.

Firefighters used more than 80,000 gallons of water; some ice was covered with a layer of water, making it extra slick.

First Since

Engler's injuries are the first major injuries to an Archbold firefighter since Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, during a sawdust explosion at Sauder Woodworking.

In that incident, three firefighters were taking a sawdust collection system apart when dust exploded, causing injuries. - David Pugh