VIDEOS: Nine firefighters were injured while battling a house fire in McKinney on Saturday night, according to the McKinney Fire Department. The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) said crews were dispatched at approximately 9:11 p.m. Saturday to a reported structure fire in the 7400 block of Joshua Tree Trail. The caller reported a fire in the primary bedroom. When firefighters arrived at the home, which belongs to former McKinney Mayoral Candidate Taylor Willingham, Truck 11 reported thick smoke showing from the two-story residence and initiated an aggressive interior attack, McKinney Fire said.
Additional crews โ Med 11 and Truck 3 โ assisted with fire suppression and primary search operations. The department said its firefighters encountered heavy smoke and extreme heat conditions on the second floor of the home. While inside, one of the Truck 11 firefighters became disoriented and low on air, and a “mayday” was transmitted. “You almost donโt believe it,” McKinney Chief Paul Dow told WFAA Sunday. “I think everyone had to look to somebody else that was by their side and ask, ‘Did that mayday, did that actually go out?'” A coordinated rescue effort by fellow firefighters ensued, and they successfully removed the firefighter from the burning home.
“They did exactly what we have trained them to do,” Dow said. The fire quickly spread to the attic, forcing crews to transition to exterior fire operations, McKinney Fire said. Several neighboring fire departments assisted by covering fire stations while MFD resources remained engaged at the scene, according to McKinney Fire. Video shared with WFAA showed firefighters battling the fire as flames burst from the top of the home. McKinney Fire said a total of nine firefighters were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to overexertion. All nine firefighters were treated and released from the hospital Sunday morning.
