St. Louis County Police Sgt. Benjamin Granda said a county officer had tried to stop the car in the area of South Broadway and Horn Avenue, but the car wouldn't pull over. The officer "disengaged and remained in our jurisdiction," Granda said.

The car crashed about a mile to the north in St. Louis. One person who was inside the building when the car hit suffered a minor injury to the knee, a St. Louis police spokeswoman said.

The engine began to fishtail, crossed into the eastbound lane of and then turning to the right. The vehicle went off the roadway, down an embankment striking trees, said Stafford fire and rescue Chief Joseph Cardello.  

No one was injured. A portion of Route 610 was closed for three hours.

It was raining at the time of the crash on the two-lane, narrow road. The fire truck sustained “considerable” damage.

The impact amputated Harden's left leg and injured his right. Medics rushed the injured firefighter to Grady Memorial Hospital, where doctors began immediate surgery.  

Fire officials said Monday that Harden is stable and recovering. He is a seven-year veteran of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.