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W.Va. firefighter dies years after explosion

Friends and family say 74-year-old Donnie Caldwell never really recovered from his injuries

By Martin Staunton
WVNS

BECKLEY, W.Va. — One of the first emergency responders on the scene in the minutes before the deadly explosion at a convenience store in Ghent in 2007 passed away. Donnie Caldwell, 74, died Thursday afternoon, according to Caldwell’s son, Steven.

The elder Caldwell was one of six people injured in the deadly propane explosion at the Ghent Little General Store back in January 2007. Steven Caldwell said even though his father survived that fateful day, he considers his father a victim of that devastating blast.

“He had brain injuries. He had lung injuries from the explosion. He was seventy-four when he passed and away,” Caldwell said. “He was in great health, a volunteer firefighter everyday before the explosion. But as far as I’m concerned he’s another victim of the explosion.”

Full story: Ghent Explosion Survivor Dies