Saturday, March 16, 2013
Lt.
Doug Bell, A Benton Harbor firefighter, is recovering in a Kalamazoo
burn unit after reportedley entering a burning house by himself.
The homeowner says he didn't think
there was enough help from firefighters. And he only saw Bell go inside.
A union representative also told us he was in the home by himself when
he was injured.
Bell has severe burns to his hands,
ears, forehead and back, the union rep. confirmed. He was the only
firefighter to enter the burning home just after midnight on Thursday.
Bell’s
injuries are now raising concern among people in that community about
whether Benton Harbor is properly staffed to respond to emergencies.
They've had to cut back now that the city is in a financial emergency.
Some firefighters in Benton Harbor
have been replaced with cross trained public safety officers – basically
police who also fight fires.
“For them to just have one real
fireman is a shame,” said the homeowner. “I mean, they got policemen
that came in here with fire equipment on.”
Other public safety officers were reportedly outside the burning home and did not enter when Bell did.
WSBT did reach out to get more
details about what happened from Benton Harbor Public Safety Director
Roger Lange, but he did not want to comment.
Michigan OSHA is now investigating – trying to figure out how this could happen.
