Philly Fire Trucks Collide, Injuring 9

PHILADELPHIA - Officials say nine firefighters were taken to hospitals Thursday morning after two Philadelphia Fire Department trucks collided in Center City.

Numerous medics responded to the scene after the crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. at 8th and Lombard Streets. The two pieces of apparatus were responding to a call.

Slideshow: Images From Crash Scene | Raw Video: Fire Truck Crash Scene

It was a frightening morning for the Philadelphia Fire Department, and for the firefighters onboard the two rigs.

Fortunately, eight of the nine firefighters transported to the hospital are out or will soon be released from the hospital. But it was a close call for the firefighter trapped in the wreckage, reported Fox 29's Claudia Gomez.

The rescuers turned into the rescued, after two Philadelphia fire trucks collided in a Center City intersection as they raced to a call.

"I just heard a loud crash and I just happened to look to my left. I had my headphones on but I had one earphone off. And I look up, I look to the left and I see the two fire trucks coming closer to the sidewalk," said witness DeShaun Thornton.

"Preliminarily, we only know that they both obviously entered the intersection very, very closely," said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

It happened just before 11:30. Ladder 9, headed westbound on Lombard Street, reached the intersection at the same moment as Engine 43, which was going South on 8th Street. The two vehicles side-swiped each other. Ladder 9 then slammed into a utility pole. The collision trapped a lieutenant inside the cab. SKYFOX hovered above as rescue crews resorted to the Jaws of Life to pull the unconscious firefighter out.

"I just left his side. He had regained consciousness. He was in pretty good shape, talking to me, telling me, Chief, is everybody else okay?" said Commissioner Ayers.

Both crews work out of the fire station at 21st and Market Streets. They had been en route from one call to another, but had taken different paths. Witnesses reported hearing sirens immediately before the impact, though it's not clear which vehicle had the green light.

"We can approach the intersection but we still have to follow our rules and regulations. We're allowed to proceed through a red light," said Ayers.

Crews transported all nine firefighters onboard both vehicles, though fire officials say none of the injuries are life-threatening.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

Four other fire trucks made it to the two-story home where the fire was reported and extinguished the flames.