PALAIO FALIRO, Greece — A firefighter died Friday when he ran out of air while attempting to rescue a woman trapped in an apartment building.
News.Makedonias reported that Sgt. Matthew Mantziou, 33, and his crew were dispatched to a tool and plumbing supply equipment store and were advised that victims were trapped two floors above.
Sgt. Mantziou entered the building to search and remove the woman on the second floor when his low-air alarm sounded and he became disoriented, according to the report. Reports are that he was calling for help for at least seven minutes, but firefighters were unable to find him, Firefighter Close Calls reported.
Sgt. Mantziou and the 44-year-old woman were both found unconscious on the balcony of the apartment and hospital officials say they died from smoke inhalation, according to reports.
Sgt. Mantziou was unmarried and had been with the department since 2007.