A firefighter is in critical condition after a fire engulfed a western Hamilton County house. A collegue says that William Ellison was an excellent firefighter.

Fireman was taken to the burn unit. Flames broke out in a home at 8125 Jordan Road in Miami Township (see map) just after 1:30 p.m. Thursday, WLWT Eyewitness News 5 reports. WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Ryan Owens reports that firefighter William Ellison, 38, was injured when the first floor of the residence collapsed. Ellison fell 10 feet and was trapped in the basement. When fellow firefighters got to him, Ellison was unconscious and severely burned. Crews from several fire departments and a medical helicopter from The University Hospital were sent to the scene. Ellison is now listed in critical condition at The University Hospital. He suffers from third-degree burns on more than half of his body. Firefighters first went inside the home after neighbors told them someone was trapped inside the home. A family of five lived in the residence, including an older woman who rarely left the home. Firefighters found no one inside the home, and were pulling out when Ellison fell through the floor. Owens reports that Ellison has been a volunteer fireman with the department for the last five years. Stay tuned to WLWT Eyewitness News 5 and ChannelCincinnati.com for additional details.