Firefighters Injured By Electrical Shock While Battling Blaze At East Bay Home

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- A fire official today said there is potential criminal prosecution pending after two firefighters were injured while fighting a fire at an Antioch home Sunday night.

Firefighters responded at 10:47 p.m. on May 14 to a two-alarm blaze at a house in the 3500 block of Blythe Drive. The fire was under control by 11:30 p.m., fire officials said.

The fire was likely accidental and caused by a kitchen appliance, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. George Laing said.

"While fighting the fire, two firefighters received a serious electrical shock, were treated on scene, and continued working," Laing said in an email.

"The electrical system had been illegally bypassed, so there were no safety measures to prevent fire and safety electrical hazards," Laing said.

Normally, the firefighters would be able to "secure utilities," meaning they would open the electrical circuits to de-energize the building's electrical supply, Laing said. However, this wasn't possible at the house
because the system had been bypassed.

"The fire is still under investigation, in part to determine who modified the electrical system," Laing said.

"There are potential criminal charges pending due to the theft of power and the injury to firefighters," he said.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Contra Costa County Fire Protection District