Springfield Man Severely Burned & Firefighter Injured In Saturday Fire
SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A Springfield man was severely burned Saturday evening and a Springfield Firefighter injured in a fire at a home that broke out around 9:15pm Saturday evening. (location of fire)
According to Capt. Yates of the Springfield Fire Department, the two men he referred to during his on-camera interview at the scene were actually neighbors trying to rescue the man trapped in the home.
After returning home from the store the neighbors saw the smoke and kicked the door open to try to rescue the man, now identified as Simon Kendricks of Springfield, but the flames, heat, and smoke were just too powerful. Moments later Springfield fire crews arrived, entered the home and found Kendricks on the floor. The firefighters quickly pulled Kendricks from the burning structure.
One firefighter was injured during the rescue, we are still waiting for an update on his condition.
Neighbors said the older gentleman had been in declining health which may have contributed to his inability to escape the home after it caught fire.
Kendricks was severely burned in the fire and was transported to NorthCrest Medical center in Springfield and then transferred via Lifeflight to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.
Officials said the fire was contained to the living room of the home but the rest of the home suffered smoke damage.
UPDATE Sunday 2:00 am: Officials tell Smokey Barn News that Kevin Dickerson of the Springfield Fire Department, who was injured while rescuing the gentleman from the burning home, has been released from NorthCrest Medical Center with a back injury.
Dickerson is expected to be back on the job in a day or so according to a representative with the Springfield Fire Department.
Dickerson injured his back when he and another Firefighter were trying to remove the resident from the burning home, officials said.
UPDATE Sunday 8:30 am: We have learned that the elderly man injured in the fire, Simon Kendricks, passed away at 3:09 am Sunday from injuries he sustained in the fire, according to Springfield Fire Chief Jimmy Hamill
Smokey Would like to convey our sympathy to the family and friends of Simon Kendricks.
Kevin, get well soon. I know its part of your job but, BRAVE. It takes a special kind of people to be firefighters. Even though the loss of one, is sad, the people of Springfield are lucky to have firefighters like yourself willing to risk their lives to save another.