DETROIT — A Detroit firefighter was found dead inside a firehouse Thursday morning.
Fox2Detroit reported that Sgt. Vince Smith, a 24-year veteran with Detroit Fire, died in his sleep at Engine 48. Smith was assigned to Ladder 13, but was pulling an overnight shift.
“He had a special way that he saw life,” said Battalion Chief Steve Kirschner. “And it was catchy to people around him. He jumped off the fire truck, threw off his coat in the middle of the street and started singing at the top of his lungs. We all just broke out laughing. But that was his personality.”
His colleagues said they didn’t think anything of it when he turned in early for the night complaining that he wasn’t feeling well. He was found the next morning in his recliner, his bible and glasses next to him on the table.
Smith leaves behind his wife and five sons.
“You think about the family, his boys, his wife, they’re going to be hit the hardest,” Kirschner said.