MIAMI – A Miami-Dade firefighter was injured Wednesday while battling a brush fire in Homestead.
The fire was reported in the area of Southwest 132nd Avenue and Southwest 288th Street.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said the firefighter suffered a head injury after part of a burnt tree fell on him.
The firefighter was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.
Concerned firefighters and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez were among those who visited the wounded firefighter at the hospital.
"We're here to support him and we'll do whatever we can," Gimenez said. "He's going to get the best medical care."
Gimenez said he'd been actively in the fire service for 40 years.
"I've never heard of that happening here in (Miami-)Dade County," he said. "It's a pretty freak accident."
Omar Blanco, president of the local firefighters union, said he's been getting calls of support from firefighters across the nation.
"(They) wanted to call and wish him well," he said.
Blanco said the wounded firefighter is in serious condition.