FireRescue1 Staff
PEABODY, Mass. - A veteran firefighter was killed today after he collapsed inside a burning apartment building while battling a 3-alarm fire.
Firefighter Jim Rice, 42, of the Peabody Fire Department, inhaled toxic fumes while battling the blaze. According to Boston.com, he received emergency medical treatment at the scene and was transported to North Shore Medical Center in Salem, where he was pronounced dead.
“Firefighter James Rice was liked and loved by everybody,” said Fire Chief Steven Padson, according to The Boston Herald. “He was a very popular firefighter he was also a popular man in the community. And he’ll be missed by all of us in the Peabody Fire Department and throughout the entire City of Peabody.”
The fire is under investigation by State Police troopers assigned to his office, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and Peabody firefighters.
Just two weeks ago, Worcester, Mass. Firefighter Jon D. Davies, Sr. was killed in an apartment fire.