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Downed Power Line Burns CA Firefighter
Associated Press
September 30, 2010
BODEGA, Calif.—Sonoma County Fire officials say a firefighter remains in critical but stable condition at a San Francisco hospital after he either touched or stepped on a downed power line.
Fire Marshal Robert MacIntryre identified the injured man Monday as Ben Hakala, a longtime volunteer with the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department.
Chief Ron Albini tells the San Francisco Chronicle that the 35-year-old Hakala suffered burns on his hand, elbow, foot and calf. Hakala was among some 300 firefighters who fought a blaze that burned 98 acres and destroyed an outbuilding and two vehicles in Bodega on Saturday.
KSRO radio reports Hakala said he didn’t see the 12,000-volt line because of thick smoke.
The county fire department has established a trust fund to help his family.
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With information from:
San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com
KSRO-AM, http://www.ksro.com
