Naples firefighter speaks out after being injured in mansion fire

NAPLES, Fla.- A mansion that went up in flames Monday night resulted in millions of dollars in damage. A firefighter was injured trying to fight the intense flames.

For the first time, WINK News is hearing about his experience that night firsthand.

Firefighter Robert Moore says the alarms started going off on their airpacks alerting them they were low on air. As the crew was trying to get out of house, the roof collapsed.

“As we reached the last flight of stairs, it was just like a thud that hit me.”

For the first time, WINK News is hearing from the Naples firefighter who was injured during this fire.

“My first thought was what hit me? Am I able to stand? Is everything still intact?”

Moore was holding onto his co-workers airpack trying to get out of the mansion, when the roof fell on top of him knocking him to the ground.

“I had this arm holding onto the back of his airpack, that way we wouldn’t get separated,” said Moore.

A lieutenant with the Naples Fire Department says when the ceiling collapsed, it shook the entire building.

“It’s not like the ceiling kind of fell, the whole ceiling came down at one time,” said Lt. Chad Haverkate.

Cellphone video shows firefighters inside the mansion after Moore was brought to safety.

“It was more fear and trying to get out of the building as quickly as possible,” Moore told WINK News.

Moore says it was dark inside and it’s a firefighter’s job to rely on the crew they work with.

“Firefighter Bitri then picked me up, assisted me off the ground. I was a little disoriented, but still the adrenaline was flowing and I was trying to get out of the door,” said Moore.

Moore’s arm is in a sling. He will have an MRI Friday.