LODD: Okla. fire chief, firefighter killed in roof collapse identified
Waynoka Fire Chief Lonnie Bolar and Firefighter Tayler Bradford died while attempting to rescue two occupants at a house fire
Duty Death: Lonnie Bolar and Tayler Bradford - [Waynoka, Oklahoma]
End of Service: 01/29/2021
Update Feb. 1, 2021: The two Waynoka Volunteer Fire Department members killed in a roof collapse at a house fire Friday have been identified as Fire Chief Lonnie Bolar, 45, and Firefighter Tayler Bradford, 28.
Bolar and Bradford had located two residents who were trapped in a bedroom and were attempting to rescue them when the roof of the home collapsed, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Bolar and Brandford were both killed in the collapse, as were the two residents.
Bolar had served for 15 years in the fire service and Bradford had served for nine, according to the USFA.
An online fundraiser has been set up for the family of Bradford, who is survived by his wife and children.
Original report:
By Laura French
WAYNOKA, Okla. — Two Oklahoma firefighters and two residents were killed in a house fire early Friday morning.
Waynoka firefighters responded to the scene at about 3 a.m., after a 911 call from residents saying they were trapped in a bedroom of the burning house, according to KOCO.
Firefighters arrived to find the front door of the home blocked with flames.
Officials said two Waynoka firefighters and two residents died in the blaze. Pond Creek Fire and EMS Chaplain Les Washnock said the firefighters were killed when the roof collapsed while they were searching for the residents, according to News 9.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
It’s with a heavy heart that we ask everyone to pray for the fire department of Waynoka, Ok. They lost two firefighters...
Posted by Les Washnock on Friday, January 29, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Waynoka Fire Department, family and friends of the firemen, and also the family and friends of the citizens lost in this mornings fire.
Posted by Woods County Sheriff's Office, Alva, Oklahoma on Friday, January 29, 2021
Our hearts go out to the members and families of the Waynoka Fire Department, who last night lost two of their own.
Posted by Major County Sheriff's Office on Friday, January 29, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers of the Waynoka Fire Department and their community this morning as we learn the news.
Posted by Seiling Fire Department on Friday, January 29, 2021
Please keep the Waynoka Volunteer Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers today and in the days ahead as they deal with the loss of two of their own who perished last night in a structure fire.
Posted by Oklahoma State Firefighters Association on Friday, January 29, 2021
