Roof collapsed on Durham firefighter hospitalized with serious burns

A Durham firefighter suffered serious burns and other injuries on Friday while battling a large blaze.

According to the Durham Fire Department, two firefighters were injured around 4 p.m. on Friday while battling a house fire on South Bend Drive.

As firefighters entered the home, the roof collapsed, injuring two of them. Donald Dixon, one of the firefighters, was taken to the hospital with burns. The other was treated on site.

Emergency crews said they witnessed a woman escaping the burning house by jumping out a window, but all residents inside the home made it outside before the roof collapsed.

During a search of the house, a roof collapsed on Dixon, setting his gear on fire and melting his thermal imager and radio.

According to the Firefighter Rescue Network, which organized the fundraiser, Dixon was able to crawl through flames to an escape opening that firefighters created for him.

Dixon was transported to the UNC Burn Center with serious burns, blunt force trauma and puncture wounds, according to a GoFundMe created to help his family's medical expenses.

Dixon is back home and in the care of his wife, and neither have been able to work while he recovers, organizers said. The GoFundMe, which raised $2,775 as of Wednesday afternoon, will help the family with medical expenses and loss of income.

According to the Firefighter Rescue Network, all funds will go directly to Dixon. Any unused contributions will be used to help other burn victims.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.