ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A firefighter in North Carolina died Thursday during a fire at a medical office building.
Captain Jeffrey Bowen, 37, a 13-year veteran of the Asheville Fire Department, was among 60 firefighters who responded to the fire on the top-floor of the five-story building, according to reports.
Ten other firefighters were injured in the 4-alarm fire, with two being transported to the hospital for burn injuries, WSPA reported. One of the firefighters, Jay Bettencourt, remained in critical condition Friday morning.
Capt. Bowen went into cardiac arrest after succumbing to intense smoke and heat during the fire, according to The Citizen Times. Reports say he issued a mayday while searching for possible occupants.
Capt. Bowen lived with his wife, Stacy, and they had three children.
“We are devastated by the loss of our brother Jeff,” Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette said.
“He dedicated himself to protecting the people of Asheville, and this is a terrible tragedy for our city, for all of us in the Asheville Fire Department, and most importantly, for his wife Stacy.
“We are praying for her, and offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him as we did. Jeff was a hero whose sacrifice will be forever honored.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the city has not experienced a 4-alarm fire in at least the past 30 years, The Citizen Times reported.
City Mayor Terry Bellamy said the fire is “a tragic reminder of the daily risks the heroic men and women of the fire department face each day, for our safety.”