By Paige Quiggins – email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – According to Louisville Metro arson investigators, the house fire that  injured three Louisville firefighters on Sunday morning was caused accidentally by combustibles. Investigators found that clothes placed too close to an electrical space heater triggered the blaze.   

Three firefighters suffered second degree burns to their hands, ears, arms, neck, back, scalp and chest. Two of them were treated and released yesterday for neck and ear injuries.

Captain Toby Mathes, a 30-year-old 13-year veteran with the Louisville Fire Department has been listed in fair, stable condition at University of Louisville Hospital’s Burn Unit. The captain suffered second degree burns to his scalp, hands, arms, chest, neck, ears and back. 

Mathes is expected to survive. He will remain in the hospital for the next few days for observation.  

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