The Denver Fire Department identified John Whelan, a 15-year department veteran, as the firefighter injured when he fell 20 feet through the skylight of a Blake Street building on Sunday night.
Firefighters responded to a report of a Dumpster fire near 3860 Blake Street at 9:29 p.m., Lt. Mike Pylar, a Fire Department spokesman said Monday.
They quickly doused the flames in the blazing Dumpster, which was against the outside wall of the building.
The corrugated, metal building was scorched and “metal being a good conductor of heat it was thought it would be best to get inside and make sure the fire didn’t get up inside the roof,” Pylar said.
Whelan fell through the fiberglass skylight and tumbled 20 feet to the floor of the building as he was checking the roof, Pylar said.
Whelan sustained injuries including a broken arm, broken ribs and internal injuries.
He underwent surgery overnight and is currently in serious but stable condition. “Situations like this are a constant reminder that the work done by our firefighters is dangerous and they put their life and safety on the line regularly to protect our community,” said Denver Fire Department Chief, Eric Tade.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with John and his family as he undergoes additional surgeries and starts his recovery.”
There was no further damage to the building, and the cause of the fire is unknown, Pylar said.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671, tmcghee@denverpost.com or twitter.com/dpmcghee
