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- Fallen Hero -
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Thursday, January 20, 2005
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Sadly, I have bad news, especially for the Public Safety community. Firefighter Scott Thornton from Summit Township, in Jackson, died this morning while fighting a fire. I don't have any other details at this point, but will update as soon as I do.
Sometimes we forget about our 'local' heros, the ones who go running in when everyone else is running out. We often take for granted that when you dial 911 they respond within minutes, and leave, no questions asked. Unfortunately, he didn't get to leave this one. Please keep his family in your prayers, as well as the fire community, as they've lost a true hero; one who took the ultimate sacrafice.
Summit veteran of 19 years dies after being trapped in house fire
Thursday, January 20, 2005
By Bradley FloryStaff Writer
A Summit Township firefighter was killed this morning fighting a house fire at Brown's Lake.
Fire Capt. Scott Thornton was trapped in the burning building at least 30 minutes as a "mayday" call went out and his colleagues searched for him.
He was located in a second-story bedroom built above a garage, and was carried by fellow firefighters down a ladder to a waiting stretcher.
Thornton, a 19-year veteran firefighter, was pronounced dead at Foote Hospital, Undersheriff Tony Philipps said.
Three other firefighters were treated for injuries not thought to be serious, said Brian Thurston, assistant chief of the Jackson Fire Department, which assisted at the fire scene.
The fire was reported shortly after 7 a.m. at 824 Brown's Lake Road, the home of Phil and Pat Willis. Pat Willis had left the house to exercise. Phil Willis got out safely.
The cause and origin of the fire were not clear this morning, but the brick house was destroyed.
Firefighters still were working to knock down the flames after 9 a.m. Aid was summoned from the Spring Arbor and Liberty township fire departments, as well as the city of Jackson.
Thornton joined the Summit Township Fire Department in 1986 and was promoted to captain in 1997. He was in charge of departmental training and represented the third generation of his family to work as a firefighter.
The last Jackson-area firefighter to die in the line of duty was Norman E. Creger, 47, more than two decades ago.
On Aug. 28, 1982, Jackson firefighters were battling a blaze at the former Jury-Rowe building, 200 S. Mechanic St., when the 17-year veteran died of massive chest trauma after becoming trapped underneath fallen debris.
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2 Comments:
Oh, Kell. That's sad. Prayers being sent.
About the 911 thing...I've sat on the other side...with you. It was actually pretty funny. Remember? "My ex-boyfriend just broke into my house and he's trying to steal the icebox and stove." Or "you gotta send a deputy out here because there's cows all over the road."
Yes. That was the same day that you rode with Chris and almost got to witness police brutality! ha ha! Interestingly enough, the girl involved also just "happened" to be at the scene of an office involved shooting we had, sitting on the front page of the newspaper with her hands handcuffed, to show the world how innocent she was! :-)
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