Firefighter injured after falling through floor of Poulsbo home on fire



POULSBO, Wash. -- A firefighter in Poulsbo has been released from the hospital after falling through the floor of a home that was on fire.

A housesitter woke up around 3:00 a.m. Tuesday to see the two-story triplex on NE Arbutus Ct. filled with smoke.

Neighbors in the units next door, including an 80-year-old woman, had to evacuate.

Once crews arrived, a firefighter went in and fell through the first floor.

"We want to make sure there's no fire above or below firefighters when they go in and unfortunately the floor was just weakened from the fire ... he just fell through up to his waist and was pulled out by another engine company, and is fine," said Poulsbo Fire Department Chief Chris Morrison.

That firefighter hurt his knee and had some chest pains, but is otherwise okay.

The house sitter got out of the home safely, but two cats died.



Fire investigators say the new home was built with "lightweight construction" which they say can collapse faster than traditional wood flooring.

The units had significant smoke and water damage.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause.