By FireRescue1 Staff
BASSFIELD, Miss. — A fire chief died while battling a brush fire Tuesday.
Bassfield Volunteer Fire Chief Bill Matthews, 73, was discovered slumped over the steering wheel of a fire truck; officials said firefighters pulled the chief from the vehicle to perform CPR. A medical examiner said it is likely he suffered a massive heart attack.
“He was a dedicated member of the Bassfield community and will be truly missed,” the state fire marshal posted on Facebook.
Chief Matthews was well-known throughout the community and was a role model to many.
“When we show up, people know they’re not going to get a bill from us. And that’s who he was. He was really dedicated to the department, but he was also busy throughout the community,” Collins Fire Chief John Pope told the Clarion Ledger.
https://www.facebook.com/msfiresafe/photos/a.124520157310.101466.124022177310/10155014618272311/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/Bassvolfiredept/posts/414751765533622