By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
FLORENCE Two firefighters were slightly injured battling a two-alarm house fire fanned by high winds Monday night on Burlington-Columbus Road.
The two residents were able to safely make it out of the burning house, said Florence Fire Chief Edward Kensler. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of Tuesday, the chief said.
According to Chief Kensler, firefighters were called to a house at 10:43 p.m. that appeared to have heavy smoke coming out of its basement.
Firefighters discovered that the fire was also raging in the walls of the first and second floors and attic of the home. Seven water tanker trucks were called due to lack of fire hydrants in the area.It took firefighters approximately an hour and a half to get the fire under control, and the windy conditions of Monday night hindered efforts. Fire crews remained on site until 2 p.m. Tuesday to make sure the fire was completely out.
”Because the fire was located in the walls of the house, we wanted to make sure that it was out, and that there was no chance of it rekindling,” said Chief Kensler.
One firefighter suffered a sprained wrist, and another firefighter had difficulty breathing, said the chief. Both firefighters were taken to area hospitals and treated and released as of Tuesday. The names of the firefighters and the family in the house were not available.
The building is currently uninhabitable, and the family is staying with relatives in the immediate area.

