A Northeast Ohio firefighter was killed and another was seriously injured Monday night while battling a house fire in Cuyahoga County.
Emergency crews were dispatched shortly before 9 p.m. Nov. 2 to a residence in the 2100 block of West Royalton Road in Broadview Heights.
During the firefighting operation, emergency radio traffic indicated that crews encountered a critical situation inside the burning home.
At one point, a firefighter could be heard calling, “Mayday, Mayday,” signaling an emergency.
Another radio transmission reported that a firefighter was down in the basement of the home and urgently requested additional medical assistance.
The city of North Royalton confirmed Tuesday morning that two of its firefighters suffered extensive injuries while battling the blaze. One firefighter died from his injuries, while the second was reported to be in serious but stable condition.
North Royalton Mayor Paul F. Marnecheck II announced the death in a statement issued Nov. 3.
“The City of North Royalton is saddened to share that our Fire Department suffered a loss of one of our own last evening,” Marnecheck said.
The identities of the firefighters have not been released.
The mayor expressed condolences to the families of both firefighters and asked the community to respect their privacy as they navigate the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen firefighter and his family, as well as our injured firefighter and his family,” Marnecheck said. “I ask our community to join me in keeping our firefighters and their families in your hearts and prayers, while respecting their privacy.”
Authorities have not released details about what caused the fire, how the firefighters became injured or whether anyone else was inside the residence when the blaze began.
Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
