NJMedic
09-03-2004, 03:22 PM
A firefighter was killed battling a second-alarm fire in New Brunswick, N.J. Friday morning.
It is a day of mourning for New Brunswick's bravest following the death of a veteran firefighter.
Deputy Chief Jim D'Heron was killed fighting flames in a multi-family home on Lee Avenue early this morning.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim D'Heron arrived in a vehicle around 3:00 a.m. He jumped out the vehicle, ran into the house where the fire was taking place and told those people inside it was time to get out just before he lost his life.
Chrystalina Hernandez, Fire Victim: "I feel sorry for the fireman who died. I tried to help him and he came in and helped us. He saved our lives."
Chrystalina Hernandez moved into the multi-family home on Wednesday. And in the middle of the night, smoke filled her room and she heard a voice telling her to get out quickly. It was the voice of firemen Jim D'Heron who ran into the building to warn the residents. He also may have saved over a dozen people before he died.
Deputy Chief Robert Rawls: "You never expect it to be one of us, but before we leave home in the morning we kiss the wife and the kids then do what we have to do."
It appears that a propane tank stored in the house exploded and D'Heron was severely burned and died on the scene. All of the occupants were rescued. Many of the immigrants living at the house are now being assisted by the Red Cross.
Over at the firehouse, the purple and black bunting have now gone up and the American flag is now at half-staff in remembrance of a 23-year veteran who died saving others.
Lawrence Petrillo, NJ State Fire Marshal: "The guy was a hero. He was a firefighter that most firefighters would look up to. I am just glad I knew him."
The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
It is a day of mourning for New Brunswick's bravest following the death of a veteran firefighter.
Deputy Chief Jim D'Heron was killed fighting flames in a multi-family home on Lee Avenue early this morning.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim D'Heron arrived in a vehicle around 3:00 a.m. He jumped out the vehicle, ran into the house where the fire was taking place and told those people inside it was time to get out just before he lost his life.
Chrystalina Hernandez, Fire Victim: "I feel sorry for the fireman who died. I tried to help him and he came in and helped us. He saved our lives."
Chrystalina Hernandez moved into the multi-family home on Wednesday. And in the middle of the night, smoke filled her room and she heard a voice telling her to get out quickly. It was the voice of firemen Jim D'Heron who ran into the building to warn the residents. He also may have saved over a dozen people before he died.
Deputy Chief Robert Rawls: "You never expect it to be one of us, but before we leave home in the morning we kiss the wife and the kids then do what we have to do."
It appears that a propane tank stored in the house exploded and D'Heron was severely burned and died on the scene. All of the occupants were rescued. Many of the immigrants living at the house are now being assisted by the Red Cross.
Over at the firehouse, the purple and black bunting have now gone up and the American flag is now at half-staff in remembrance of a 23-year veteran who died saving others.
Lawrence Petrillo, NJ State Fire Marshal: "The guy was a hero. He was a firefighter that most firefighters would look up to. I am just glad I knew him."
The cause of this fire is still under investigation.