A couple of area fire-fighters were injured; while on the scene of a blaze at an abandoned house in Defiance County. Highland Township fire department was dispatched when flames ignited in a structure at the intersection of Kinner and Defiance-Ayersville Road at 3:44am this (Tues.) morning. The two story house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. During the fire, a fire-fighter fell into an open hatch of an abandoned cistern. The victim hung onto the fire hose at the opening of the hatch; and a deputy from the sheriff’s office at the scene was injured during the rescue. Both subjects were transported to a local hospital. The structure was a total loss, with mutual aid supplied by Defiance City Fire Department, and New Bavaria volunteers. Crews were on the scene for well over four hours.