Firefighter Gene Kirchner of Towson, Maryland, 24, passed away from injuries sustained at the scene of a working residential fire on April 24, 2013 at 0100hrs. Firefighter Kirchner was one of the first to respond to the residential fire on Hanover Road, and was found unconscious on the second floor and rescued by fellow firefighters on the second floor of the structure after he had reportedly issued a Mayday call. A resident of the home, who did not survive the fire, had also been found and removed from the burning structure by firefighters. Investigation into the fatal fire continues by authorities.
Statement released by the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company:
"It is with deep sorrow and regret that the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company announces the line of duty passing of Firefighter Gene Kirchner. Gene succumbed to his injures after an 8 day fight. He sustained critical injuries while he was performing a search on a dwelling fire April 24, 2013. Gene is a 9 year member of our company and was a junior fire fighter for 2 years. A full fire department funeral will be scheduled."
Our condolences to the Kirchner Family & Friends, the Baltimore County Fire Department - Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company and to all affected by Firefighter Gene Kirchner's passing. To date, 27 firefighter fatalities has been reported to USFA in 2013.
Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
