LEXINGTON, N.C. — Flames ripped through this house on West Fifth Street in Lexington early Tuesday morning. It was so powerful it blew off parts of the home's foundation.
"The crews made an interior attack. The fire changed rapidly and caused them to have to change tactics very quickly," said Lexington Fire Chief Paul Jarrett. "We're still trying to process all that to determine what happened."
Chief Jarrett said every firefighter was able to escape except one, Captain Ronnie Metcalf.
They sent a team in to get him out.
He's now in the hospital fighting for his life.
"I've worked here for 34 years. It's not uncommon to get injuries it's not uncommon for them to get hurt," Jarrett said.
Chief Jarrett got emotional thinking of Metcalf's condition.
"These are the most significant injuries I've seen to a firefighter," Jarrett said.
Captain Metcalf has worked for the Lexington Fire Department for 19 years.
He came to Lexington with previous experience.
Chad Evans said he worked along side him years ago.
"I was a volunteer fireman Badin Lake Fire Department in Montgomery County and he was one of our instructors down there," Evans said.
Evans said it's hard to comprehend what's happened.
"He did everything he could do with safety," Evans said. "I mean every time a firefighter puts that gear on it's the chance you take."
Evans said he's praying for Metcalf, his children and his wife.
"He's a great guy to work with. Funny outgoing," Evans said. "He would break his neck to do what he can."
"You'll never find anyone with a bigger heart than he has. He's always there to help whoever needs help," Jarrett said. "He's everyone's friend. He's there for everyone."
Chief Jarrett said his team is still processing the turn of event, but more than anything he said Metcalf's family needs support.
"For his family, it's going to be a challenging period of time for them so they're going to need all types of support," Jarrett said.
It's unclear how the fire started or how Metcalf was trapped inside.
We also don't know if anyone was living in the home.