DETROIT (WWJ) -- Eight firefighters were taken to a hospital after a search and rescue operation at the scene of a house fire, Thursday afternoon in Detroit.
Live video from WXYZ's Chopper 7 at 2:30 p.m. showed more than a dozen firefighters digging through the rubble of a vacant home on W. Hollywood, in the area of 7 Mile and John R. roads on the city's east side.
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950, Detroit Fire Chief James Harris said the DFD responded swiftly to the scene. "The men and women of the Detroit Fire Department went to work instantly extinguishing this fire," he said. "Unfortunately, some firefighters were injured."
Officials said seven firefighters were transported for treatment of injuries and smoke inhalation, while others worked to dig out one remaining firefighter who was buried waist-deep.
By around 3 p.m., Harris said that the eighth firefighter had been pulled out and was rushed to the hospital.
Harris told WWJ's Jon Hewett that none of the injuries to any of the firefighters were believed to be life-threatening.
Fire crews remained on the scene late into the afternoon, hosing down hotspots.
Reports there has been a "string" of suspected arson fires in that area, but WWJ has not yet been confirmed that information.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
