Thursday, March 26, 2015

CINCINNATI MOURNS FIRST ACTIVE-DUTY FIREFIGHTER DEATH IN 12 YEARS WHEN HE FELL DOWN AN ELEVATOR SHAFT








THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Cincinnati Firefighter Daryl Gordon died fighting a Madisonville blaze Thursday morning, the first death of a city firefighter in 12 years.

A fire broke out at the Kings Tower Apartments in Madisonville shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday morning.  Several fire companies responded. 

It went to a 4-alarm after a firefighter fell down the elevator shaft while trying to rescue residents. He later died at University of Cincinnati Medical Center

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9:45 a.m.: Cincinnati firefighter Daryl Gordon, 54, died this morning, according to a spokesperson for Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley.

9:00 a.m: The University of Cincinnati Emergency - EMS department reports that the firefighter extricated from the building has died.

Our hearts are heavy with the news a Cincinnati Firefighter died in the line of duty this morning. Rest in peace, sir.

— UC Emergency - EMS (@UCEmergencyEMS) March 26, 2015

The department subsequently deleted the tweet.

INITIAL STORY: Authorities issued a mayday call after a firefighter fell down an elevator shaft while trying to rescue residents from an apartment building in Madisonville early Thursday.

At least one other firefighter was taken to the hospital with second-degree burns, said Cincinnati Fire Chief Richard Braun.

It took officials several minutes to get to the firefighter in the elevator, who reportedly was not breathing when crews found him, according to emergency communications.

Authorities rushed the firefighter away on a stretcher around 6:45 a.m. Braun told The Enquirer the firefighter had arrived at the hospital and was in "dire straits."

Officials are unsure about the number of civilian injuries. Braun said he saw at least one baby taken to the hospital.

At least three civilians were being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center's emergency room, according to dispatch reports.

When the fire broke out at the Kings Tower Apartments shortly before 6 a.m., one resident told The Enquirer he had to jump from his balcony on the second floor to escape.

"I woke up to screaming and shouting, opened my door and the smoke near knocked me over," said Clarence Mallory.

"I couldn't even see down the hallway."

Fire officials said on Twitter the fire was under control before the firefighter fell down the elevator shaft. Initial dispatch reports indicated multiple residents got stuck on the third floor.

"We've got a bunch of people yelling, they are on the third floor," an official at the scene told dispatchers.

More crews were immediately requested, and the fire was eventually upgraded to a level four alarm.

Authorities also requested a bus for the evacuated residents.
"Pretty much the whole building is being evacuated," one crew member told dispatchers.