Cincinnati firefighter hit by bullet at fire scene

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Fire Department has concluded that one of its firefighters was hit in the helmet by a fired bullet while fighting a blaze in the city last month.

The department said Tuesday that firefighter Kevin Kirkendall wasn’t injured when his helmet was struck at the scene of a fire on the night of July 18. The helmet was not penetrated, but a forensic examination determined it to be a gunshot.

The bullet likely ricocheted off another surface before striking the helmet and probably wasn’t intentionally fired at Kirkendall.

Cincinnati police are trying to stem an increase in gun violence in the city this year.