A former Cherokee County firefighter died Sunday while responding to a blaze in Missouri, officials said.
Chuck McCormick, 30, died in a hospital after he was hurt battling a fire at a home in Peculiar, Missouri, which is about 35 miles south of Kansas City, Cherokee County officials said.
The fire started in the laundry room of the home, Cherokee fire spokesman Tim Cavender said in a statement Monday.
“As firefighters made entry, McCormick fell through the floor near the front door into the basement and was critically injured,” Cavender said.
McCormick was not able to get out of the home before the roof collapsed, he said.
McCormick began working for the Cherokee fire department in October 2014. He graduated from firefighter recruit school in January of the following year and worked out of the station on Bells Ferry Road, Cavender said. McCormick left the department in October 2017 and began working with the West Peculiar Fire Department.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Mr. McCormick,” Cherokee fire Chief Tim Prather said. “I understand that Mr. McCormick was very respected by fellow firefighters and had established personal relationships with Cherokee fire personnel that continued up until his passing.”
Credit: Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services
Credit: Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services
Cherokee fire personnel will wear the traditional mourning badge in honor of McCormick and his “contribution and sacrifice to the fire service,” Prather said.
“We send our condolences out to the family of Mr. McCormick,” he said.
McCormick left behind his wife, Rachel, and three children, Cavender said. A GoFundMe page was created to assist his family.
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