4 Fireman Hurt as Blaze Guts Anaheim Bank

Four firefighters were injured battling a major blaze that erupted at a bank in Anaheim late Monday night, completely gutting the structure.

The two-alarm blaze, which may have been set by an arsonist, destroyed the Barclays Bank branch at 320 Katella Way, fire officials said.

Anaheim Fire Department Division Chief Steve Magliocco said five engines and two trucks from fire departments in Orange, Garden Grove and Anaheim rushed to the scene and battled the blaze.

Beam Collapsed

The four Anaheim firefighters were injured when the main structural beam collapsed, pinning them beneath it, Chief Magliocco said.

There were reports that a fifth firefighter was injured, but this could not be immediately confirmed.

The two bank officials came to the burning building, but declined to comment about any possible damage to cash, deposits and other valuables, including contents of safe deposit boxes.

Fire officials also declined to comment about any damage to contents.

Although fire officials said they did not know the cause of the blaze that engulfed the bank, someone was reportedly seen leaving the building before the fire was reported at 10:36 p.m.

This could set the stage for an arson investigation.

One of the firefighters was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, another to Western Medical Center in Anaheim, and the other two were taken to UCI Medical Center in Irvine, Magliocco said.

Authorities would not release the names of the injured firefighters until relatives are notified.