When a worker is doing their job, they don’t always think about getting hurt. This is especially true in the cases of those who work hard to protect their communities, like firefighters and police officers.
In a recent case in Lincoln, a firefighter suffered injuries while attempting to help when a car erupted in flames. The volunteer firefighter from Bennet was at the scene of a fire at Old Cheney and S. 190th when the incident happened.
It was only around 5:45 p.m. when the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the fire department were called to the scene. Just 20 minutes after dispatch, the deputy called in that a part of the Chevy Cruz that they were attending to had exploded. That explosion impacted a Bennet firefighter.
It’s not clear exactly what happened, but the sergeant with the sheriff’s office stated that the firefighter may have been suffering from internal medical problems or a chest injury from the explosion. Fortunately, the injuries were not life threatening, and the firefighter was taken to the hospital by Lincoln Fire and Rescue’s medic unit shortly thereafter.
Why did the car catch on fire? That may have been a result of overheating. According to the sergeant, the car was on a muddy, slick road when it got stuck. While trying to get it out of the muddy area, the vehicle caught on fire. Eventually, the fire team was able to put out the vehicle and tow it away.
Work injuries like these can be scary. Fortunately, workers’ compensation should cover incidents like this for those who are involved.