Firefighter Charles H. Williams II

Firefighter Williams and a second firefighter became trapped after entering a residential fire and falling through a hole into the basement. Both received second and third degree burns. Efforts were made to revive Firefighter Williams on the scene. The other firefighter was admitted to the hospital with serious burns.

At 0009 hours on the morning of February 17, 1997, E-11, E-6, EC-6, A-4 (L-4), and District Major 204 were dispatched for a report of a structure fire on Addison Avenue. Upon arrival of Unit-204, a report of heavy smoke showing from a residential structure was given. Initially E-11 was ordered to pull two 1-3/4" handlines to the front of the structure but it soon became clear that the pump on E-11 was malfunctioning preventing the generation of adequate water pressure. 204 ordered E-6, who was 2nd due, to pull two lines and prepare to make entry. FF Chuck Williams and FF Jerry Ray Jr. pulled the attack lines, extinguished fire around the front door and made entry. Just after making entry both firefighters fell through the floor into the basement and became disoriented. Unknown to the crew of E-6, the fire had been set by an arsonist and there were multiple fires burning in the basement which had weakened the floor. Within a few minutes, the firefighters were found to be missing and the hole was located in the floor. Numerous rescue attempts were made but only FF Ray was able to make it out alive. Post incident investigations revealed that both firefighters had run out of air before being removed.

See NIOSH report

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face9704.html