Names released of 2 firefighters hurt in Rock Hill-area fire, explosion

Two firefighters were injured Monday afternoon when flames from a garage fire preceded what neighbors say were multiple explosions that sounded like shotgun blasts at a home between Rock Hill and York.

The two Newport firefighters injured in Monday's fire were Joseph Volk and Rich Diamanti, said Billy Weatherford, fire safety director at the York County Fire Marshal's office.

Both firefighters are recovering, Weatherford said. Diamanti remains hospitalized in Charlotte at Carolinas Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition Tuesday morning. Volk is being treated at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill.

Smoke from the fire that started before 4:30 p.m. could be seen for several miles, and the explosion was heard by neighbors, who called 911.

Several firefighters responded to a fire on Volunteer Drive, off S.C. 5 and Tirzah Road. After the explosions, firefighters rushed to aid those who were injured – pulling off turnout coats, flame retardant pants, protective masks and helmets, and other clothing as the fallen firefighters lay on the ground.

It is believed the injured firemen were two of the paid firefighters who work the day shift at the mostly volunteer department, said Charles Williamson, a fire investigator for the York County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Both firefighters had leg injuries, and one appeared to have been knocked out initially by the blast, said Domenic Manera, a York Fire Department chief who was on the scene.

While the fire was still raging, several firefighters and emergency medical workers assisted the two injured firefighters next to the house before they were taken to Piedmont Medical Center for treatment.

The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation, Williamson said.

Firefighters and the fire marshal’s office were expected to investigate into the night.

Carl Faulk, Newport fire chief, coordinated the response before leaving for the hospital to check on his injured firefighters. He could not be reached for comment.

Andrew King lives in the home at 1160 Volunteer Drive and said that he was home at the time of the fire. He heard a “crack” in the garage shop, where King said the fire was burning.

King said he runs a convenience store petroleum maintenance business in the garage, and that several months ago he had a hot water heater installed.

King said he was not injured.

Mike Rodgers, who lives across the street, said before the explosion he ran to the house to make sure that King was safe from the fire.

King was trying to move his truck to safety.

Rodgers said he told King to leave the truck and seek safety when the explosion happened right in front of him. The house was “completely engulfed in flames” in seconds, Rodgers said.

“I saw the explosion – it was a big bang,” Rodgers said. “Debris went out from the garage. It was like a low percussion pop.”

The explosion knocked out the brick northern wall of the home, near where the two firefighters were injured.

Rodgers was on the southeastern side of the house and did not see the firefighters get injured. He said the explosion was, “Frankly the scariest thing I have ever seen.”

Rodgers called 911.

John Gettys, a retired York County probate judge, lives next door to the south of the King home and said that the fire was “extremely large.”

“It is sad, and it is a bad fire, and we hope and pray that the firefighters are going to be all right,” Gettys said. “They took one of them right past me.”

Although firefighters had not had a chance to inspect the damage, the home appeared to be a burned-out shell.

The King family dog, a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Jill, was burned in the fire.

“I heard three or four explosions,” said Stella Cooper, who lives next door to the north of the burned King home. “It sounded like shotguns.”

After Cooper knew that King was not injured, she grabbed the dog and bathed it. She found the dog’s burns and injuries required a veterinarian, so she took the dog for treatment.

Firefighters from Newport, York, Bethesda and other emergency agencies responded.

King said that he hopes that the injured firefighters recover quickly.

“I just want to tell them thank you,” King said.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Names released of 2 firefighters hurt in Rock Hill-area fire, explosion."