File photo of a London fire truck. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)File photo of a London fire truck. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
London

London Firefighters Hurt In Training Exercise

Two London firefighters have been injured in a water rescue training exercise gone-wrong at Fanshawe Lake.

The training Friday morning included more than two dozen firefighters.

"There was an incident that occurred with one of our boats. As a direct result of that incident two firefighters were injured and transported to Victoria Hospital," said Deputy Fire Chief Jack Burt.

The two firefighters suffered non-life threatening injuries and are listed in stable condition. The firefighters' identities and the exact nature of their injuries are not being released.

Fire officials are not confirming reports of an explosion on the boat at the time of the injuries.

Burt commended the actions and quick-thinking of the firefighters that were present.

"The training that we were doing Friday for water rescue, highlights some of the dangerous activities that we have to do while we are members of the fire department," said Burt. "During that training exercise our members were quick to react, they got out into the water to secure the safety of all members when this incident occurred ."

The London Fire Department will conduct an internal investigation around the circumstances that lead to the incident.

"What we will do is reevaluate, as part of our own internal investigation, what went right and what went wrong to try to make sure that we don't have an incident like this in the future," said Burt.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, the Transportation Safety Board and the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office have been notified and will be launching their own review.

"One of our inspectors has been assigned," said a Ministry of Labour spokesperson who also indicated the firefighters were hurt "while attempting to inflate an inflatable boat."

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