Selma firefighter suffers second-degree burns, chief blames outdated uniforms

Published 10:13 pm Thursday, August 2, 2018

A Selma Fire Department Firefighter suffered second-degree burns from a house fire on Wednesday.

Selma Fire Chief Toney Stevens wouldn’t give the firefighter’s name, other than being a first-year worker.

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Stevens said the accident was during a structure fire and it occurred in a house on High Street.

“A witness said it’s possible someone was trapped inside,” Stevens said. “A firefighter went inside to do a rescue.  The firefighter fell through the floor and received second-degree burns from his left leg all the way up to his knee.”

Stevens attributed the accident to having an outdated uniform.

“I’m always advocating about clothing,” Stevens said. “Our uniforms are old and outdated. It didn’t hold up. I’ve made several efforts to different groups: the City Council, Mayor Darrio Melton’s office and applied for grants, it didn’t work. We need clothing bad.”