Firefighter dies in line of duty, another injured in McDowell County

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - One firefighter has died and another was injured while responding to a structure fire in McDowell County, West Virginia.

On Monday, at approximately 7:25 p.m., McDowell County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 12000 block of Marshall Highway in Jolo, W.Va.

The Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department, Raysal Volunteer Fire Department and War Volunteer Fire Department were all immediately dispatched.

Once en route, a member of the War VFD became ill and told the driver of the fire apparatus that he needed medical attention. The driver immediately turned the fire apparatus around and started driving in the direction of Welch Community Hospital, according to the release.

They met up with an EMS unit and transferred the firefighter to that unit.

The EMS unit continued toward the hospital with the firefighter, when the firefighter became unconscious, and CPR efforts were initiated by the attending EMS crew.

According to the release, the firefighter was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

At the fire scene, a Bradshaw VFD firefighter reportedly collapsed with difficulty breathing and smoke inhalation.

That firefighter was transported to a landing zone in Iaeger where he was loaded onto an aeromedical helicopter and flown to CAMC General Division in Charleston, W.Va.

The firefighter from War VFD is Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson, 54, of War, W.Va. He has been transported to the West Virginia Office of Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

The firefighter who collapsed at the scene is Gary M. Coleman, 51, from Jolo, W.Va. He has been treated and released overnight at CAMC General Division.

The structure that was on fire is also the residence of Mr. Coleman.

The death of Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson is being considered a Line of Duty Death by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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