By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A two-alarm residential fire in the Phoebus section of Hampton, Virginia, killed two people and injured five others, including a firefighter.
• The fire broke out Wednesday evening at a converted multi-family home on West County Street.
• Fire crews found heavy smoke and flames on arrival and rescued multiple occupants.
• A Newport News firefighter fell partially through the roof and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
• The Hampton Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.
(HAMPTON, VA —) A severe residential fire in the Phoebus area of Hampton Wednesday evening resulted in two deaths and left five people, including one firefighter, injured, authorities said.
Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue units were dispatched about 5:58 p.m. to the 90 block of West County Street, where heavy smoke and flames were visible at a two-story home converted to multiple units.
Firefighters located residents inside the burning structure and evacuated them; three occupants were hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation, and two later died at medical facilities.
During fireground operations, a Newport News firefighter fell partially through the roof and was able to self-extricate with assistance from crew members; that firefighter was transported to a hospital with injuries not deemed life-threatening.
Fire crews from Newport News and mutual aid partners, including Poquoson, Norfolk and Langley Air Force Base, responded to the blaze and assisted with rescue efforts and scene stabilization.
The Hampton Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and progression of the fire, which remains under review as authorities gather more information.