One firefighter dead, another injured following fire in West Virginia

WEST VIRGINIA — A firefighter died, and another was injured while responding to a structure fire in McDowell County on Monday evening.

At approximately 7:25 p.m. on February 17, McDowell County 911 received a report of a fire in the 12000 block of Marshall Highway in Jolo.

The Bradshaw, Raysal, and War volunteer fire departments were dispatched to the scene.

While en route, War Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson, 54, of War, W.V., became ill and informed the driver of the fire apparatus that he needed medical attention.

The driver turned around and met an EMS unit, which transported Lawson to Welch Community Hospital.

During transport, he became unconscious, and emergency crews initiated CPR. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

At the fire scene, Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Gary M. Coleman, 51, collapsed due to smoke inhalation and difficulty breathing.

He was transported to a landing zone in Iaeger and airlifted to CAMC General Division in Charleston. He was treated and released overnight.

The burning structure was also identified as Coleman’s residence.

The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office has classified Lawson’s death as a Line of Duty Death. His body has been transported to the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.