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MATTHEWS, N.C. — A training burn turned into a real life emergency when a roof collapsed, injuring three firefighters.

The Idlewild and Mint Hill volunteer fire departments, along with Matthews fire and EMS, were conducting a training burn at the Old Queens Preparatory high school administrative building.
Other emergency responders were able to rescue the firefighters from the burning building.

What started out as training turned into a real-life emergency, which is when everyone involved put their skills to use.

"When things shifted, their training kicked in, preparation kicked in and they were able to react very well in a coordinated way to pull everyone out of the building," said assistant chief Brian M. White, with the Idlewild Fire Department.

Three firefighters were injured in the collapse, at least one suffering from burns. Mary Rasmussen watched as the roof collapsed, not knowing if her son, a firefighter, was inside.

“The building erupted in flames very quickly and there was flames coming out of every part of the building. and then the right side of the building collapsed," said Rasmussen, witness

Queens Grant Preparatory High School donated the building to the fire departments because the school is expanding and will build a new building in its place.