Five firefighters were hurt while fighting the flames that destroyed a century-old Minneapolis church, and the Minneapolis Fire Department captain who was burned told FOX 9 News they were lucky to escape alive.
"Last night was probably the closest that I've ever seen us come to losing a group of firefighters," said Capt. Joe Mattison. "We're glad we are here this morning."
A fire that's as hot and intense as the one that broke out on Sunday night will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression for many, but Mattison says after being trapped inside the attic with the flames, he knows it's a fire he'll never forget.
"We couldn't get out," he recalled. "Our exit way was blocked by fire."
Mattison said he and four other firefighters were 30 feet from the fire's origin when conditions changed rapidly.
"We were down as low as we could get, and my ears were tingling and back was tingling -- not tingling, burning," he said. "We were getting toasted in there."
Mattison said they didn't have any water coming from their hose, so the group counted to three and decided to make a dash for it. All five made it out, but all five suffered burns to their hands in the process.
"My burns -- I believe -- [are] from the heat from when we were sitting there, trapped in that corner," Mattison said. "Hot as hell and you got nowhere to go -- it's like being stuck in an oven."
The four others who were injured included a husband and wife who usually work at different stations. The wife is the firefighter who remains hospitalized.
"We are very fortunate and very lucky," Mattison told FOX 9 News, "but we did reflect back on our training, and that's what got us out of there."
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but the blaze broke out as thunderstorms rumbled over the area, and lightning could be the culprit in the attic fire that quickly devoured the historic sanctuary.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:48 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:48:46 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:06:33 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
