On November 12, 2014 at 0028hrs, Baltimore City Fire Department firefighters responded to a vacant row house fire. Lieutenant James Bethea, 62, the safety officer, arrived at the scene at approximately 0043hrs.. A few minutes later, the vacant row house fire was deemed to be under control and by 0330hrs, all fire department units were recalled to fire stations or other emergencies. Around 0700hrs, a fellow officer who drove by while off-duty observed that Lieutenant Bethea's fire department SUV was still at the scene. Officials returned and found Lieutenant James Bethea's body in the basement of a vacant home next door to where the fire occurred. Investigation into the incident and cause of death continues.
Our condolences to the Bethea Family & Friends, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant James Bethea's passing.
To date, 74 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. 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.)
