Firefighter, 18, Dies: Pennsylvania Firefighter Killed After Getting Trapped Under Debris
A Pennsylvania firefighter, 18, died after suffering life-threatening injuries from a house fire he was battling last week. Jeffrey Buck died at 4 p.m. on Monday from his injuries. He had spent almost 7 days at UPMC Altoona, 11 News WPXI reports. Jeffrey Buck was a senior at Clearfield Area High School and a member of the Lawrence Township Fire Company.
The 18-year-old was on a crew called to a house fire located in Clearfield. Investigators say that a porch roof caved in and trapped several firefighters. Members of the crew sifted through rubble to free them. Buck and two additional firefighters were injured — with Buck hurt the most severely. The other two firefighters have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.
Doctors treating Buck say he was making progress, but his condition worsened over the weekend. The firefighter, 18, died while trying to put out a blaze he fell victim to.
Firehouse published a statement released by the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.
“The Clearfield County Department of Emergency Services along with the Lawrence Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 regrets to announce the passing of Firefighter Jeffery Scott Buck. Firefighter Buck was critically injured while fighting a structure fire Tuesday, March 3 and has passed away from his injuries. The Clearfield County Department of Emergency Services extends its most sincere condolences to family, friends and brother firemen.”
According to the report, Buck’s loss is hitting the firefighters hard. They, along with the township’s first responders and the community as a whole, were tight-knit around Buck’s family for the past week. In Philipsburg, A Boots for Buck drive on Saturday amounted to over $9,000. Rescue Hose and Ladder had a breakfast buffet in Curwensville on Sunday that brought in over $3,500. A GoFundMe campaign for Buck’s family raised $4,415.
AP reports via ABC News that Clearfield Bank and Trust is collecting donations made to the “Jeffrey Buck Fund.”
The report adds that the couple who owned the house were able to escape the blaze with minor injuries. The fire started at 9 a.m Tuesday, March 3.
The hospital didn’t elaborate on what injuries the firefighter sustained after being trapped under the house’s porch debris. Everyone in the community is feeling a huge loss after the brave young man’s actions. He was a well-liked individual many had a lot of respect for.
If anyone wants to donate to Clearfield Bank and Trust, go to this page.
[Photo Credit: Prayers for Firefighter Jeff Buck/Facebook]
