LODD: W.Va. firefighter dies from stroke after fighting residential fire

By Laura French

MONTCALM, W.Va. — A West Virginia firefighter died this weekend, 10 days after suffering a stroke shortly after fighting a residential fire.

Montcalm Volunteer Firefighter Zachary S. Blankenship, 26, collapsed upon returning home on March 5 about five hours after the blaze, according to the USFA. He died at a Virginia hospital on Sunday, March 15.

“God decided to call Zach’s number today, for better plans than here on earth,” the department posted on Facebook. “We are truly thankful for the community’s support, and our brothers and sisters at neighboring departments.”

https://www.facebook.com/MVFD108/posts/1429976533840259?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARC_uK9KIHjJWZyzPRg_XhnAgEqefN5P6o5hW9Asrt3uTWaISIOXpRmwQ1N_S86bW8z26TugOpCMKfAzgLQIyyngDioShX9e7KHQZaFL4P6G81AC50m3Ei2sxXDoO5Tu3yJHDe6sh4h-4TKFV945_SuKi8hunZkTxsph0DQJFqzBvYwu4JQjZlL96uvYbRfFrmIkCo0fxEIWJw8jPh0v6KVbwiCyoOnWQEgPFIyaeb3jHVL0xWjfV_VU9A1YQGJbcgQQ9Cc22E_Ap9tQx5k5Jmk8T-iULyh8U4js6WN1S9q5WeCxPQT5WfrWxk3_Qcxo0AAhC7ReVN0oLX3NwvF2H_K6HA&__tn__=-R

The department had held a bake sale and hot dog sale last week to help with Blankenship’s medical bills and support his family.

A memorial service will be held for Blankenship on Friday, March 20 and his funeral will be held the next day. The department said it had received requests from multiple fire and EMS agencies, some it had never even heard of, to participate in the memorial.

“Thank you guys for showing amazing support during this difficult time,” the department posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

https://www.facebook.com/MVFD108/posts/1432253273612585?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBPq6K-mMI2c4RlhQma4vgovqc_kLA1hxbLZh0UZBABAgXnfKJ3pfriH2lu-KkU48BSx5c0JhlLBQzLViG_0hTFEfF_XfqmivUXKrR2RWD-JSkQjPHRL711qdcGeCkJ0kt_zM3prQx600lsJpqpph1wFUrqZqJO2SPJC9b-FO90r4znRt2e8hYBXNny_HKIkBwevmNN9ZyvY0W6LQ8-WnDgmJCymInk_FnA710qKP-_r1xIMUnryqESAQWjbU2BMIQdLTN0mOJyMiFy2RMXe5chrHco-6s2sWRaHAfQLwZT-Q-LT8ijRetb7F0xyXClKCRFF3A7oJ7MGcLG-4uPCw&__tn__=-R