Firefighter critical after fall, cardiac arrest while battling Woodmere fire

WOODMERE (WABC) -- A volunteer firefighter was hospitalized after falling through a compromised floor while battling a fire in Nassau County on Long Island early Friday.

The flames broke out in the basement of an empty home on Central Avenue in Woodmere just before 4 a.m.

Inwood firefighter Joseph Sanford, Jr., who was one of the first on the scene after the initial 911 call, apparently fell through the first floor and into the basement after entering the building.

It is unclear if other firefighters even knew he was inside, as his lifeless body was found accidentally by other firefighters making their way through the house.

He was in cardiac arrest, but firefighters were able to revive him.

He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries and is listed in critical but stable condition.

The fire required 13 departments from Woodmere, Inwood, Lawrence- Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Elmont, Hewlett, Lakeview, Lynbrook, Malverne, Meadowmere, Oceanside, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream, with 200 firefighters and 20 pieces of apparatus to extinguish the fire.

Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The residents were not home at the time, and the fire is not believed to be suspicious. The homeowner declined to comment other than to express sympathy for Sanford.

The cause is under investigation.