By Greta Stuckey
syracuse.com
CONKLIN, N.Y. — The fire chief of the West Colesville Fire Company in Broome County died in the line of duty on the Fourth of July while battling a house fire.
Around 2:53 a.m. Friday, a call came in reporting a possible house fire at 21 JR Blvd. in the town of Conklin, according to the Broome County Office of Emergency Services.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames, but all residents had made it out safely. One person suffered minor burns to their legs, officials said.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about an hour.
While fighting the fire, West Colesville Fire Chief James Sitek suffered an apparent medical emergency, officials said.
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Emergency personnel immediately provided care at the scene. Sitek was taken to Wilson Hospital by Broome Ambulance, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Sitek was a 35-year volunteer with the West Colesville Fire Company. He served in many roles over the years and had been fire chief for the past three years, officials said.
Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti described Sitek as a leader, mentor, protector and beloved neighbor whose dedication to public safety never wavered.
“Chief James Sitek embodied the very best of Broome County,” Battisti said. “His sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the risks our first responders face every single day.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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