Tuesday just after 3 am, Kern County firefighters responded to reports of a residential building on fire at 609 Withee St. Upon arrival firefighters encountered a single-story, single-family residence, fully involved with fire and threatening other buildings on two sides.

Law enforcement was requested to assist with traffic control and firefighters began an aggressive attack on the fire.  During the fire fight building conditions were compromised from the fire, creating an unsafe environment for the firefighters to operate within the building. All firefighters were ordered out of the building to work at extinguishing the fire from the exterior. Approximately 30 minutes after arrival on scene the Incident Commander declared a knockdown on the fire. Firefighters were also able to complete primary and secondary searches inside the building and found no persons inside.

During operations on scene one Kern County firefighter sustained a moderate, non-life-threatening injury. The firefighter was treated at a local medical facility and released. While no additional details are available regarding the injured firefighter it is a good reminder of the inherent risk associated with this profession. Every time firefighters drive with their lights and sirens, operate at a vehicle accident on the highways, lift off in our helicopters, or crawl into a burning building to save someone’s life they are taking a calculated risk to help others. We have great pride in the efforts and sacrifices our firefighters make every day for others.