Age: 31
Cause of Death: Townsend died after part of a shopping center building collapsed on him.
Additional Information: He was a father of three
Chief also injured as part of a building collapses
By Tiara M. Ellis
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2006 THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DENISON, Texas — From the time he was old enough to walk, Phillip Townsend toddled around the Denison Fire Department. And he grew up to become a firefighter, just like his father.
The younger Mr. Townsend, a 31-year-old father of three, was killed Saturday morning while doing the job he grew up loving, Denison fire officials said.
He died after part of a building collapsed on him and the Denison fire chief as they battled a blaze.
Mr. Townsend and Chief Gordan Weger, 54, were driven to Texoma Medical Center in Denison, where Mr. Townsend died and Chief Weger was treated and released.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at a shopping center in the 900 block of South Crockett Avenue about 8:45 a.m. The fire appeared to be coming from an appliance store in the strip, Denison police spokesman Mike Eppler said.
“We had a couple of firefighters at the front of the building, including the chief and Phillip,” Lt. Eppler said. “As they fought the fire, the awning on the front of the building collapsed on top of them.”
A justice of the peace pronounced Mr. Townsend dead at 10:38 a.m., Lt. Eppler said.
After Chief Weger was released from the hospital, he immediately went to the fire station and returned to work, Assistant Fire Chief Don Coley said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation. A team of state fire marshals was expected to join the investigation Saturday.
At least three other area fire departments helped fight the fire. As news of Mr. Townsend’s death spread, more departments offered assistance.
“We have had agencies from down in the metroplex, Plano, McKinney, Lewisville, Denton. Plus, all of them in Grayson County have already been here to assist and offer help,” Chief Coley said.
Mr. Townsend had been a firefighter for about a year and was studying to become certified as a paramedic.
“He was the most pleasant, always-with-a-smile, hard-working, do-anything-you-ask-him kind of person,” Chief Coley said. “You could not have asked for a nicer kid. He was just a pleasure to be around.”
Mr. Townsend’s father, Larry, is still a firefighter in Denison.
The Denison Fire Department, which consists of 54 certified firefighters, last lost an employee on Dec. 23, 1989. Firefighter T.O. Fulce was working a fire when he died in the line of duty.