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Oil lamp to blame for blaze that injured Henrico firefighter

Posted at 6:32 AM, May 03, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-03 17:12:22-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Fire investigators say an oil lamp was to blame for a blaze that caused a firefighter to suffer first and second degree burns on his knees.

It happened while he was battling a Thursday morning house fire in Varina in the 8800 block of Strath Road, Henrico Fire Capt. James Mellon said.

That firefighter was treated and released on the scene.

Officials said the house did not have power, so the homeowners were using the lamp for light and forgot to turn it off before going to bed.

Everyone made it out of the home safely.

Henrico firefighters were called to the home around 4:50 Thursday morning after someone reported seeing flames shooting from the Henrico home.

The home is on a section of Strath Road that has no fire hydrants. Fire crews set-up portable ponds and ferried water to the scene.

Fire crews marked the fire under control just before 6:00 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Firefighters closed Strath Road from New Market to Kingsland Roads while on scene.