Cincinnati firefighter Daryl Gordon has died of injuries suffered in battling an early morning fire at a Madisonville apartment complex, according to Mayor John Cranley’s spokesman.
The 54-year-old firefighter reportedly fell down an elevator shaft while battling the four alarm blaze at Kings Tower Apartments. A second firefighter was injured, but his condition is not known.
“We lost a hero today, and we are all mourning,” said Fire Chief Richard Braun. “Daryl lost his life in the line of duty to save others.”
Chief Braun said Gordon was searching for fire victims when he came upon an open door, which turned out to be an elevator shaft, but no elevator was present.
Gordon was also a 10-year employee of UC Health Air Care and Mobile Care unit. A colleague there described Gordon as "always upbeat and came to work with an amazing attitude. He was positive and dedicated not only to the hospital but to the community. He was well loved by all and he will be greatly missed.”
Just before 6 a.m., firefighters were called to the scene of 6020 Dahlgren St. where the second story of the Kings Tower Apartments was on fire.
Dahlgren Command requesting a third alarm, crews report heavy fire on the second floor
— Cincy Fire & EMS (@CincyFireEMS) March 26, 2015
Sometime after Gordon needed help.
Crews have a mayday on the fireground, a firefighter have fallen down a elevator shaft, crews working to remove him
— Cincy Fire & EMS (@CincyFireEMS) March 26, 2015
Gordon was taken to the hospital where he died. It's unclear how many apartment residents were displaced or how the fire started.
Community Builders, which operates the apartment complex, said in a statement:
"Kings Tower is home to approximately 68 families and has no known safety citations on record in the past year. The Community Builders, together with our management agent Wallick-Hendy, is working with the Red Cross and Salvation Army to arrange emergency housing and supplies for building residents. We are cooperating fully with investigators to help determine the cause of the fire."
"We lost a hero today, and we are all mourning." - Fire Chief Richard Braun
