Trending Topics

LODD: N.C. firefighter suffers medical emergency at house fire

A White Level firefighter suffered a medical emergency during a fire on Hickory Rock Road and later died at a hospital

FR1 Affiliate images - 2026-02-11T094635.327.jpg

White Level Fire Department/Facebook

WHITE LEVEL, N.C. — A White Level firefighter died while on duty after suffering a medical emergency during a house fire, according to Franklin County Emergency Services.

Firefighters responded to a fire on Feb. 10 in the 1300 block of Hickory Rock Road in the White Level community.

White Level Fire Chief Linwood Powell told WRAL that Dale Malone, 66, experienced a medical emergency while responding to the call.

Malone was taken to the hospital, where he later died. No details about the cause and nature of Malone’s death were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Trending
Attorneys for Norwich and Yantic Fire Engine Co. No. 1 agreed to mediation, delaying a hearing over the city’s seizure of the volunteer department’s fire trucks and equipment
A weeklong Crisis Intervention Team course in Elkhart County trained 26 first responders in de-escalation, suicide prevention and responding to behavioral health emergencies
Firefighters from Black Jack and Florissant Valley quickly knocked down heavy flames
Grapevine officials say shifting fire department resources toward EMS is needed to match call volume, but critics warn the plan could affect response coverage
Company News
First Due earned a spot on the 2026 GovTech 100 for the second consecutive year, recognizing its AI-powered, all-in-one platform supporting fire and EMS operations

Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.